uMhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve back in operation
How exciting to discover that a prized KZN treasure has reopened to the public.
The Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve was closed in 2021 after a toxic chemical spillage occurred during the KwaZulu-Natal unrest.
It's not easy to be told that a part of our beautiful natural life had to be shut down, especially when so many people seek out places like the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve.
This, coupled with the unsteady nature of our beaches, has been a huge downer for the KZN community. So, it is with great pleasure to hear that the Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve has reopened up to the public.
"Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo said the provincial government decided to open the reserve, allowing repairs to the trail bridge over the uMhlanga estuary. The reserve is open to the public after authorisation was received from the province, and infrastructure repairs were carried out with the assistance of uMhlanga UIP for the safety of the visitors. The reserve is open from 06:00 and closes at 18:00 from the boardwalk section and 07:00 until 15:30 in the car-park section at Lagoon Drive." (North Glen News)
Families were happy to revisit the reserve; many people spent time there this past weekend. Check out some of the photos from Facebook below:
Running is not recommended for visitors to the reserve as it disturbs the wildlife. Mntambo also said that the public should practice silence when visiting the nature reserve; noise disrupts the birds and other animals who call the reserve their home.
To the pet owners, dogs are also not allowed into the reserve.
"The reserve has a small footprint, so if animals and birds are continually disturbed, they will relocate across the M4. The reserve has been closed since the chemical spill on July 13, 2021, during the insurrection. This has been for the public's safety and to ensure that the biodiversity recovers. We are slowly getting positive results with an influx of Blue Duiker, Bushbuck, Cape Clawless Otter and numerous nesting birds coming to the recovered site,” he said." (North Glen News)
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Image Courtesy of Facebook