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Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West, which is renowned for its biodiversity and commitment to environmental sustainability, has just completed an extensive programme to rehabilitate eroded watercourses. This complex environmental undertaking on five sites has seen the removal, storage and replanting of some 15000 indigenous plants that were housed temporarily while the programme was underway.
The R12 million project has saved rehabilitated wetlands and Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos vegetation, which could have been badly affected by sediment washing onto the area. In addition, it has halted sediment contamination of the Lourens River, part of which runs through the estate. This is the only river in South Africa where a section of adjoining land is a Protected Natural Environment.
Vergelegen supports Biodiversity Day with R12 million project
By Kristin Engel
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Cape Town - A project to rehabilitate and save the Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos vegetation along the Lourens River is set to provide short-term and long-term job opportunities.
The project by Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West is set to launch to coincide with Biological Diversity Day, which is on Saturday.
Vergelegen risk and commercial manager Leslie Naidoo said the environmental endeavour intends to rehabilitate eroded watercourses, store and replant 15 000 indigenous plants, and save the Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos vegetation on the Lourens River.
“The project saved rehabilitated wetlands and halted sediment contamination of the Lourens River, which is the only river in South Africa where a section of adjoining land is a protected natural environment,” said the manager.