Preserve whole of Baakens Valley
[caption id="attachment_38506" align="alignright" width="405"] RIVER IN DANGER: Concern has been expressed about how developments such as the new shopping centre and access roads encroaching on the upper reaches of the Baakens Valley in Rowallan Park. Picture: MIKE HOLMES[/caption]
WITH reference to Guy Rogers's column of June 19, "Have your say on N2 project", as we have come to expect from Rogers, his words on this subject deserve close attention from all concerned folk.
My wife and I live at the western end of Rowallan Park and have thus had a grandstand view of just what is going on there – as, indeed, have all the other folk who live in the area – with the construction of the multimillion rand Baywest being built on the other side of the N2 plus what is happening on this side, the west side of the upper Baakens Valley.
It is a place very dear to my heart. I used to take our two dogs for their daily walk there – down to the bottom of the valley, across the Baakens, which is now a sad reminder of what happens when "progress" rears its ugly head. Then up to the top and along to the N2.
It is now a dim, distant memory. Even if I wanted to, it's impossible to walk there now.
Three-quarters – yes, about that much – of that once beautiful valley has been destroyed. We have seen it happening before our eyes, as would all the residents overlooking it, a huge flattening/destruction of nature in all its beauty, flora and fauna.
It is now presumably awaiting construction of a road for easy access to Baywest to and from the north, plus a housing complex and, I do believe, light industry – all in the not too distant future.
At the moment, for concerned citizens such as my wife and I, it is a frightening scenario. We are by no means experts in the field, but what this decimation/ destruction indicates to us is the great danger posed to the Baakens River itself.
Rogers opened his article mentioning the Save the Baakens River Valley initiative, an initiative intended to make the lower Baakens Valley a pleasant place for all, "capitalising on its full economic, recreational, educational environmental value and making it more accessible to all the people of the metro". A wonderful vision indeed.
There's only one snag, in our uneducated view. We would welcome education, from whichever source – education as to just how it is intended to keep the Baakens River running through the valley.
I have photographs showing just how fierce the flow was after heavy rains a few years ago. There used to be a small concrete bridge crossing it at the bottom – it stood no chance.
But then the river had a clear run, a clear flow. With all that has been going on over the past few months, I doubt very much if that force of flow can be maintained. Or am I wrong?
The point is: if what the powers that be have this vision of the lower Baakens Valley can be in the future, have they made sure of that force of flow? Without it, there is nothing, literally.
The upper Baakens River slows, the lower Baakens vanishes.
If there are any folk out there who are of like mind as my wife and I and are fearful of the results of what is going on, please note, as Rogers correctly points out, public comment is being sought. "Time to get involved" – his words.
Send comments or concerns to steenbok@aerosat.co.zabefore the July 3 deadline.
You have four days. Get involved – do it!
Richard Burbidge, Rowallan Park, Port Elizabeth
