The municipality is located immediately adjacent to the Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDPWHS), and therefore occurs (at least partially) within the Special Case Area Plan (SCAP) buffer zone to the UDPWHS. The UDPWHS is inherently environmentally sensitive and provides for the conservation of critical elements of biodiversity in the province. It is therefore, critical that development adjacent to the park is both strategic and appropriate.
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Inappropriate development within the UDPWHS approaches hasthe potential, not only to impact upon the important biodiversity protected by the park, but upon the WHS status of the UDP. Thus, it is critical to ensure the conformity of any proposed development with the relevant guidelines (as advised by the Drakensberg Approaches Policy (DAP), Special Case Area Plan (SCAP), and the buffer study (Rushworth & B Mthimkulu, unpublished)), in order to ensure that the values of the UDPWHS are not impinged upon, and that the WHS status of the UDP is not threatened in any way.
The most visually sensitive parts of the municipality, the areas adjacent to the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, comprise predominantly deep valleys separated by significant lower berg mountains, which effectively limit viewshed impacts in this area. The areas adjacent to the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife protected areas (e.g. Lotheni and Mkhomazi) are protected by topographical viewsheds, that render visual impacts unlikely on the areas. Viewscapes onto areas identified for stewardship and protected areas expansion merits further investigation.
4.2.5 Soils and Agricultural Potential
Agriculture comprises the dominant land use in the municipality, including both commercial and subsistence farming. The majority of commercial farming areas are located in the east of the municipality, with rural communities inhabiting the higher lying areas in the centre, and extensive livestock grazing dominating in the western and north western parts of the municipality (SDMP Map 6). The reliance on the natural resource base by the rural communities that inhabit these areas render them critically important for sustainable rural livelihoods.
The municipality includes suitable climate for commercial timber production, particularly in mistbelt areas to the east of the
municipality. These plantations represent both economic opportunity and significant alien invasions risks, with commercial timber species (particularly wattle) encroaching into river valleys, posing risks even as far as the UDPWHS.
Soils are generally low in fertility and acidic which limits crop options. Potatoes, maize and beans are the major crops grown by community gardens and larger farmers. The Commercial production of maize is not possible in acidic soils. Essential oils and woodlots of yellowwood have been identified as suitable options.1
1 Umgungundlovu District Municipality (2007) The Impendle Local Municipality’s Local Economic Development (LED) Strategic Plan, 2007. Published by the Umgungundlovu District Municipality in partnership with the Gijima KZN LED Support Programme of the Department of Economic Development of KZN
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Slope is the limiting factor for much of the municipality, withcommercial agriculture and timber plantations generally already existing on suitable areas. However, additional suitable areas still exist (Map 7, SDMP), which potentially present economic opportunities to rural communities; however, inaccessibility and distance to markets is a significant constraint which has limited agricultural production. A paucity of impoundments, stressed water reserves (particularly the Umgeni River catchment), and lack of infrastructure renders irrigation problematic, further limiting agricultural production in such areas.
The Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs has accordingly only been able to identify limited areas of high potential for agricultural production in the municipality, with land reform projects comprising key interventions (Map 6, Annexure 4, SDMP). Agriculture is seen as a sustainable land use on the latter properties, although economies of scale and limitations as described above render these areas unlikely to contribute as commercial agricultural entities. This aspect merits further investigation.
Field investigations indicate relatively large areas of land which appears to have high potential subject to the addition of lime and soil conservation measures. This potential will need to be assessed as part of a feasibility study to follow on from the SDMP.
4.2.6 Hydrological, Water Resources and Wetlands
Considering the critical role that this municipality plays in terms of water provision, maintaining the remaining natural systems along the main stem rivers and upland streams is critical for ensuring continued delivery of ecosystem services and connectivity required for biodiversity persistence. Associated wetlands perform a key role in this regard.
The distribution of wetlands within the municipality is illustrated in Map 8, Annexure 4 SDMP. This wetland mapping was carried out using the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife wetland dataset (from which dams were removed). Wetland types included comprise Montane and Highland, with Midland and Lowland types absent as defined by EKZNW criteria. Whilst not mapped in the planning domain, every effort should be made to conserve high altitude bogs, due to the critical water supply and discharge function of these bogs, as well as their role as filters in the maintenance of water quality.
The national standard for wetland conservation is 20%, which may not be appropriate for this municipality considering the importance of its water resources.
Wetland systems are distributed in a complex mosaic, occupying a variety of positions in the landscape across altitudinal gradients, ranging from open water bodies such as mountain tarns, small hanging wetlands, high on valley sides, a variety of vleis and marshes, down to extensive wetlands associated with an intricate network of stream and river courses. Wetlands are of major importance for nature conservation, because of the variety of natural communities associated with them. Also present are important montane wetlands, which play a key role in the hydrological cycle of the catchments, and are of particular significance for the maintenance of regular stream-flow patterns, and acceptable water quality levels. Protection of these wetlands is afforded in part by existing protected areas, whilst significant areas are in private and communal ownership. Wetlands within the municipality are on the List of Wetlands of International Importance under the RAMSAR Convention.
Umgeni Vlei Nature Reserve is located 20 km due south-west of Nottingham Road in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. The main vlei is
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about 300 ha in extent, and is underlain by Karoo dolerite. It lies atan altitude of 1 840 m, with the highest hill in the reserve at 2 081 m. The vlei functions as a large sponge that is the source of the Umgeni river. The extensive vlei is good for cranes (Gruidae), and both Bugeranus carunculatus and Balearica regulorum regularly breed there. It is the premier site in South Africa for Bugeranus carunculatus (up to six pairs have nested in the main vlei, with four others nesting in four smaller vleis, all within the reserve boundary.
At least two pairs of Balearica regulorum and one pair of Grus paradisea are also present in this Important Bird Area (IBA), the latter in the grassland surrounding the vlei, which also supports several other species of threatened bird, including Anthus chloris.
The vlei could potentially support Sarothrura ayresi. Cisticola brunnescens forage and breed in the flooded grassland adjacent to the vlei. The rocky terrain at higher altitude supports Geocolaptes olivaceus, Saxicola bifasciata, Monticola explorator and Chaetops aurantius. Both Gyps coprotheres and the rare but widespread Gypaetus barbatus are regular visitors to the area.
Apart from its biodiversity value, Umgeni Vlei is a valuable water- catchment area, supplying the Umgeni River, which supports a substantial proportion of South Africa's gross national product, and the whole of the catchment above the vlei is now conserved, either within the reserve or in a Natural Heritage Site. The other key river is the Umkomaas River, which together with the Umgeni River has been earmarked for a future bulk water transfer scheme. The
Umkomaas River is also critically important for downstream users, including industry located closer to eThekwini Metro.
The distribution of important water yield areas is illustrated in Map 10 SDMP. It is clear that the majority of important wetland areas fall within the high water yield areas, illustrating this positive relationship.