A WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD - COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TO ATTAIN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

We inherited our World with its KeyElements, free of man-made and industrial Pollution.. The Air was fresh andclean, devoid of excessive carbon and harmful toxins. Today prudent countriesare examples of Clean Living with optimum Waste Collection linked to Re-cyclingoperations, which in turn create job opportunities, invite tourism and reducethe spread of diseases. In South Africa the lack of appropriate Cost EffectivePollution Management is evident with the exception of isolated pockets, namely,the Overberg district from Hermanus, also parts of Capetown. No wonder hugenumbers of visitors arrive from far and wide for the Cape Argus, the EliteSporting Event at Hermanus and the Two Oceans Marathon.

Where we bury waste materials the Soil becomes "disturbed" andoften contaminated. For Example, a Builder should carefully remove all types ofwaste and rubble from his project area prior to land preparation andimplementation of the new Landscape. Where an area is sprayed with pesticidesand/or herbicides the residue may remain in sub-soil strata for years. Apesticide application for annual maize cultivation in the Draycott region,later inhibited the growth of Forestry saplings, with the deep residuepreventing root formation the trees remained stunted.

Installation of monitoring pylons will enable regular assessment ofAtmospheric Pollution levels. An advised Pollen Count is beneficial forresidents and visitors who may suffer from Hay Fever, Asthma and relatedallergies. During the Fynbos flowering season in the Cape, the pollen countincreases. Exotic species heavily laden with pollen add negative effect. FromTropical Africa, Pennisetum setaceum (Purple Feather Grass) should be avoidedas the feathery inflorescence may cause allergic reaction. AtmosphericPollution from Coal-burning installations, integrated with toxins fromindustrial effluent require urgent Scientific related Revision, with Regulationand Controls in place and monitored to comply with Health and Safety Standards.The Jet-stream from aircraft completes the atmospheric cocktail. From Aprilannually we endure palls of black smoke from Sugar Cane burning, another periodwith respiratory related problems. Agricultural subsidies would assist thisunnecessary practice and provide occupation for rural workers. In-field"trashing" reduces the Stormwater Run-off when trash is placed inwind-rows, simultaneously adding free mulch into the soil.

The late Dr. DoIf Schonau from the I.C.F.R. confirmed research in theBavarian Pine Forests had revealed that even the narrow-leaved pine needlesabsorbed "Acid Rain" from Industrial pollution. "Acid Rain"is carried from the leaves, through the tree, to the roots where groundwatercontamination levels are estimated. His Research Team in E.grandis plantationsat Kwambonambi, identified similar contamination levels relating to industrialgrowth from Richard's Bay.

Waste Collection Methods and Re-cycling Systems are essential to aholistic Clean-Up Procedure. Where the Shopping Center, Office Block, or PublicBuilding places rubbish receptacles, the Public and Community as a whole mustensure careful LITTER disposal and NOT LEAVE paper, plastic wrappers, cans orglass bottles lying in the Car Park or Taxi Rank. Uneaten food scraps attractflies and vermin. In towns and cities in early Europe the lack of garbageClearance and Management resulted in the Bubonic plague epidemic, carried byfleas on the rats, with widespread death recorded. Litter is reduced where itis a finable offence. Another option for those who do not CARE?1

The worst levels of Pollution areevident in our Water Resources from the Catchments to the Sea with PotableWater Supply under duress Qualified Sewer Planning, on-going Management andregular Maintenance are critical to avoid discharge of E.Coli into our WaterResources and ultimately the Ocean, again negating tourism. Volumes of plasticdebris are washed up on previously pristine beaches. David Attenburgh's TVprogram illustrates the Laysan Albatross inadvertently feeding her chick with acollected plastic object. When not regurgitated the chick may die creating yetanother endangered species.

Accolade is due to regions with Community based re-cycling projectsnamely Westville, then "Pinetown - Tidy Town", the "KeepHillcrest Beautiful Association" with regular recycling of paper, glass,cans and polystyrene. June 28th welcomes the Launch of Queensburgh's "TIDYTOWN" initiative, "CARING FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT".

In the "Good old Dairy Days"of Durban, there were daily Milk deliveries from Clover and Creamline Dairies,milk arrived in glass bottles, placed on the door-step, with"EMPTIES" collected and re-cycled continuously.. Responsibilityshould still rest with the Refreshment Suppliers to COLLECT and RE-CYCLEBOTTLES and CONTAINERS, the negligence is inexcusable.

Words 719 - 17 = The STAR OF HOPE, butlinked to necessary Legal Jurisdiction!! Copyright reserved to writer : JillTheunissen.