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A nature reserve from a garbage dump

Fakir Hassen in Johannesburg

A former South African Indian biology teacher wants to develop the natural wetlands used as a dumping ground in the Greater Lenasia area where he lives into a major nature conservation area.

Amrit Lalloo wants to convert a stretch of land near the sprawling township of Lesania that is primarily used as a garbage dump into a nature reserve. His plans are slowly gaining support from the authorities and the local community.

At the entrance to Lenasia, developed in the apartheid era to forcibly resettle the Indian community in and around Johannesburg into their own 'group areas', is a natural marshland where birds and other wildlife thrive.

Though the number of animals has fallen since the resettlement of the South African Indian community, the area is also notorious for the deep disused quarry that has been the site of a number of suicides.

Popularly known as Mosquito Valley because the area is a paradise for insects, it has tremendous potential for becoming a major nature conservation area.

But some residents see the move as a threat to their rather convenient dumping ground. But Lalloo is not one to be deterred by the battle he would have to face to change attitudes. He is spearheading the plan on behalf of the local chapter of the Ananda Marga Mission, which is headquartered in India.

"We have had tremendous support for the project from the Wildlife Society of South Africa, local schools, municipal councillors and community organisations who have recognised the need for such a development to run in parallel with the housing and business development in the area," said Lalloo.

"We want participation by all residents, especially children, so that they take ownership of the area.

"Our children have to travel far out to enjoy nature, usually organised by schools as excursions. We want to make this area a centre that will make residents more aware of their entire environment."

Indo-Asian News Service

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