Maphumulo IDP - KZN Development Planning

4.12 ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORSGreen Corridors: Maphumulo Municipality is unique in the sense that two of the KwaZulu-Natal Province major rivers (UThukela River and Umvoti River) runs through the municipality ina west-easterly direction in line with the rolling hills and broken topography that ischaracteristic of the area. They both form an important component of the physical andnatural structuring system and they represent breaks in development and land use. Many ofthe valleys contain significant areas of indigenous vegetation and In line with therecommendation contained in the iLembe District Municipality Spatial DevelopmentFramework; they should be utilized, together with relevant tributaries as a natural greennetwork structuring the landscape.The width of this system varies considerable depending on the local topographic andenvironmental conditions. Appropriate management and maintenance systems should beestablished together with local communities and appropriate stakeholders. Where relevant aprogramme of rehabilitation should be considered. This approach would also includeappropriately protecting, managing and rehabilitating the natural environment of existingmountain and hill ranges as well as unique natural habitats identified. Where possible thevarious components should be integrated and linked into an overall natural system consistingof a variety of components.The municipality should give priority to the following interventions:Programmes that are designed to protect and enhance the quality of the river systemsshould be promoted. This includes the Working for Water Programme, Removal of alienspecies and participation in the Catchment Management ProgrammesFormulation of an Environmental Management Plan and/or Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment as a component of the IDP and a base document for the Land UseManagement System.Initiating landcare program in association with the Department of Agriculture. Theprogram will help address challenges such as soil erosion and donga rehabilitation.Identification and protection of indigenous forests and other environmentally sensitiveareas.4.13 PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDNearly half of Maphumulo Municipality comprises of land with a relatively high agriculturalpotential. However, most of this land has been lost to disperse expansive rural settlements.This has limited the agricultural activities to subsistence and small scale sugar caneproduction. Given the strategic location of the area in relation to the Dube Trade Port and itsidentification in the PSEDS as an area falling with an agricultural and agri-processing corridor,it is important for the municipality in association with the relevant government departmentsand the affected communities to identify and assemble land for agricultural developmentpurposes. Unlocking this potential may involve the relocation of homesteads in someinstances. Potential for out grower schemes should also be explored in greater detail.4.14 URBAN EDGE4.14.1 SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE OF URBANISATIONIn KwaZulu-Natal, urbanization has been associated with the trend of migration towardsplaces of adequate infrastructure, uninterrupted service delivery, efficient transport systemsand employment opportunities.__________________________________________________________________________________________Maphumulo Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2012 - 2013Final June 2012Page 88 of 142