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WHAT
WORLD HERITAGE STATUS MEANS FOR THE AREA
Save
the Vaal islands too!
 The satellite photo
from Google Earth shows the Vaal River and
its islands. The river comes in from the northeast (top right) and
flows past Parys (lower right) before splitting around the biggest
island (lower centre) before heading off to the west (top left). It
is thought that some 300 occur on this stretch of the Vaal, making
it geologically and ecologically unique in Southern Africa. The
declaration of the Vredefort Dome as a World Heritage Site in July
2005 affords an opportunity to conserve the Vaal from the many
pressures that beset it.
Conservation, tourism,
co-ordination between public authorities and private interests, and
wealth creation for people in the area.
The international conservation union (IUCN) however highlighted the
urgent need to better protect this unique site and provide visitor
facilities to help interpret the complex phenomenon. Conservation
is especially necessary amid the wonderful islands of the
Vaal. For Otters' Haunt, our
small, exclusive accommodation establishment on the Vaal, the
declaration of the Dome means
that conservation efforts will be intensified.
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Karen Addison introduces
schoolchildren to one of the magical, hidden channels of
the Vaal, flowing between its many islands. |
Many lush green islands break up the river into dozens of channels
from the time it enters the Dome to the time it exits - a distance
of about 25km. These islands are in themselves a precious national
heritage worth restoring to their natural state.
Despite their beauty and
uniqueness, the islands have never really been the focus of
conservation efforts. Unfortunately these islands are becoming
overrun with invader species like bluegums and syringa trees. The
river channels are clogged with water hyacinth. There is also little
or no control over their use for fishing and camping, bringing the
danger of fires and litter which could further mar their beauty.
Working for Water has
concentrated on removing exotics here and in other river areas. The
campaign could gain momentum if bodies like Working for Water and
the dome conservancy lend their full support.
OTTERS' HAUNT CANOEING
Visitors to Otters are
usually amazed at the variety of birdlife, fish and creatures such
as otters and vervet monkeys in the islands.
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A visitor, Ronnie, takes
Shadow the Otters' Haunt unofficial guide, on an Island
tour. The boat, a Fluid Synergy, is made in Parys and is
safe, easy to manouevre, and sets up to two adults and a
child. A special offer on these boats at a discount
price is available to Otters' Haunt and Bush Cabin
residents. |
Our special canoeing
trips on the lazy meandering channels take people into a wilderness
few could have imagined to exist so close to Guateng.
ANABRANCHED RIVER
Scientifically speaking,
the Vaal in this area is an "anabranched" river. This term applies
to riverbeds broken up by rocks; and in this area the Vaal follows
faults between the granite basement rocks of the Vredefort Dome.
Erosion has removed the Karoo sediment covering, exposing the very
old granite of the earth's crust. The river finds its way across the
Dome by cutting its way along faultlines that radiate out from the
centre of the blast. The Vaal is a very old river, superimposed on
the rugged landscape of the once-deeply buried Vredefort structure.
During the Boer War, the
islands were used by Boer snipers hiding from the British. They
would take pot-shots at military convoys crossing the river at
several fords in the area.
OWNERSHIP OF THE
ISLANDS
It is not entirely clear
who owns the islands today. They appear to fall under different sets
of land ownership rules. On the old Orange Free State side, it
appears that the law gave riparian landowners ownership of the land
up to the midpoint of the river (ie including the islands up to that
point). On the old Transvaal side, the landowners owned only the
land on the bank up to the water's edge. The fact that "Die Eiland"
is in private hands (for a golf estate) and that that Parys's main
island, Golf Island, has a golf club, indicates that this land
ownership pattern still holds.
It may be that recent
legislation has changed the ownership rights, though this is
unlikely to affect those who are already in possession of the
islands.
COMMON INTERESTS
Whatever the case, it is
in the common interest of all landowners to agree to conservation
standards and to work with local authorities in conservation and
tourism to achieve set goals. What needs to happen is:
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the Vaal islands
should be earmarked as a special conservation project by both
the Free State and North West tourism authorities
-
landowners on both
banks should be called upon to help prevent the spread of
exotics and not put up unsightly constructions
-
a stategic
environmental and tourism plan needs to be devised to guide
action and gain the consensus of all concerned
-
educational
programmes, from schools and through media, should be developed
to scientific knowledge and hence support for Vaal river and
island conservation.
Of course, this is what
has happened, more or less, in the case of the Dome itself. With
backing from landowners, business and other interests, both central
and local government threw their weight into the campaign to have
the area declare first, a National Heritage, and now a World
Heritage site. The Vaal Islands should now become a special project
within the Dome area.
GRAEME ADDISON
Author and
landowner
What's your view? Email us at
info@otters.co.za
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