2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

Map 13: Acocks veld types3.8 Degraded landLand degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysicalenvironment is affected by one or more combinations of human-inducedprocesses acting upon the land. It is viewed as any change or disturbanceto the land perceived to be deleterious or undesirable. Natural hazards areexcluded as a cause; however, human activities can indirectly affectphenomena such as floods and bushfires. Land degradation is a globalproblem, largely related to agricultural use. The major causes include:Land clearance, such as clear cutting and deforestationAgricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practicesLivestock including overgrazingInappropriate irrigationUrban sprawl and commercial developmentLand pollution including industrial wasteVehicle off-roading Quarrying of stone, sand, ore and minerals.The main outcome of land degradation is a substantial reduction in theproductivity of the land. The nature of degraded land, barren rock anderosion scars in particular, is such that they cannot be effectively shown atnational scales. Considering that the general minimum mapping unit sizeof entries in the Land Cover Database is 25 ha, the occurrences that areshown are major and are to be considered with great concern. Landdegradation also corresponds with former homelands.Land degradation is a general feature of the Umzinyathi landscape and adirect consequence of unsustainable farming in the past or, maybe moreserious, over grazing, indiscriminate settlement and overpopulation ofcertain areas. Given the inability of the environment to regenerate itself theconsequences of degradation continues for decades into the future.Draft 2013/14 IDP Review Page 164Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013