New developments 'may destroy Baakens valley'

FURTHER development anywhere along the Baakens River valley which runs through Port Elizabeth could cause irreparable damage to one of the area's crucial ecosystems.

This is what stakeholders heard when attending the launch of a new campaign last night aimed at restoring the valley to its former glory and incorporating it in sustainable developments that everyone couldgain from.

Sharing the research done for her masters degree in landscape architecture, Rose Buchanan highlighted the dangers of urban encroachment at the river mouth, degrading the mouth and endangering fish and other life in the river.

Early development of the Port Elizabeth harbour did not consider the future impact on the natural estuary that once thrived from the river mouth deep into the valley. - Riaan Marais