Map  13

Hydrological  Characteristics 

1.9.3. AIR QUALITY

Due to the rural nature of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality, the air quality is considerably good. The dispersed housing and numerous plantations found in and around the area allow for a good oxygen carbon dioxide cycle. Thus, the only air pollution that could endanger the livelihoods of the inhabitants would be the burning of wood, forest waste and fugitive dust emissions generated from unpaved roads.

1.9.4. CLIMATE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Two bio-climatic regions exist. These are the highland and the moist upland bio-climatic regions. The area can be categorized into two temperature zones:

 The western (higher) portions of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality have good climate and are typically cooler. Winter temperatures in the cooler western regions often drop below 0⁰ C.

 The eastern (lower) portions can be described to have high climate. Warmer eastern regions temperatures seldom drop below 5⁰ C.

Summer temperatures range from the low thirties in the west to high thirties in the east. The mean annual rainfall in the area is between 700 and 1200mm per annum with the eastern areas generally being drier than those in the west are.

1.9.4.1. EXTREME WEATHER RISKS

There is variability in the features that influence the region’s climate. This produces extreme weather conditions in Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality. Some of the most common climate extremes cause serious impacts. These often record numerous deaths, damage to households (leaving people homeless), create health concerns and require efficient emergency assistance. It also affects negatively on biodiversity.

1.9.5. STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma Local Municipalilty municipal area has both international and national environmental responsibilities. The international responsibilities relate primarily to the protection of biodiversity in accordance to the International Convention on Biological Diversity, to which South Africa is a signatory. In specific relevance to Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality, both the protection and relevant preservation of wetland habitats, Mist belt grasslands and Mist belt forests are currently under threat in the municipal area. One example of a Mist belt forest within the boundaries of the municiopality that is considered to be of national importance is that of the iGxalingenwa forest. This forest is considered to be of national importance based on the high number of Cape parrots utilising the area as a food source and for roosting sites. The presence of the tree hyrax in this forest also contributes towards its biodiversity importance. There are a number of sites which have been identified as being of specific conservation importance. These include:

 A Natural Heritage Site

 19 Sites of conservation significance

 1 Private Game reserve and

 One Biosphere reserve.

Furthermore, there are eight formally protected. Of these, seven are State forest areas and the eighth is the Impendle Natural Reserve.

Hence, protecting the natural resource base of the area, would not only ensure short-term survival for many of the residents in the rural area, it would also contribute towards creating employment or other income generating opportunities. Therefore, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality is in an excellent position to meet the national conservation targets entirely of two prominent grassland and forest types and contribute significantly to the conservation target of another grassland type. This could be done through the conservation of the remaining non-transformed areas of these grasslands and forests within its municipal area of jurisdiction. The conservation areas in Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality are indicated in the below.

1.9.5.1. POTENTIAL CONSERVATION PRIORITIES

Based on the conservation priorities as established by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (2010) for the Ngwagwane Catchment, the following may be conservation priorities to be considered in the Municipality.

 Priority areas (Minimum Set) identified in the EKZNW Systematic Conservation Plan for KZN;

 Identification of species and habitats of local importance based on expert knowledge;

 Combining the provincial and local biodiversity layers and identifying habitat corridors required to protect and link priority areas, but that avoid transformed or earmarked land.

Any planned developments within or adjacent to the identified biodiversity corridor areas should be considered in consultation with EKZNW “.

EKZNW (2010) states that a number of Rare and Endangered Species occur within the Harry Gwala DM, and the Ngwagwane Catchment Area. Land use decisions made by the Harry Gwala DM and Table 21: Broad Land Use Guidelines for Biodiversity Corridor Areas

LARGELY COMPATIBLE LARGELY INCOMPATIBLE

 Livestock grazing at recommended stocking rates

 Low density tourism

 Nature reserves and game farms

 Additional ploughing

 Afforestation

 Urban expansion

 Densification of settlement

 Major new roads

 Quarries

 Alien plants

associated LMs will have a direct and major bearing on whether these species ultimately survive or go extinct.

Municipalities within the Harry Gwala DM area therefore have an important responsibility, including constitutional and legal obligation, to actively plan for the persistence of these species in their planning and roll-out of services to people, as well as during approval of land use change. However, if properly managed, these species also represent a major economic opportunity to residents in the area through tourism-related developments; no capital infrastructure development is required for people to start benefiting immediately from the presence of these species. Mentioned species are the ground hornbill, vultures, Drakensberg cycads, cape parrot, cranes, eland and others.

Two of the largest river systems in KwaZulu-Natal flow through Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality. These include the Umkhomazi River and Umzimkhulu River. The rivers have numerous smaller river streams and tributaries. Along with their catchments areas, they are responsible for a large portion of the municipality’s water supply. They bare large quantities of water flowing through the municipality. Accordingly, these extensive river systems have been identified crucial to local water supply. The protection of these areas is to follow, in order to protect it from encroaching developments;

particularly human settlements and agricultural land uses, which may destroy the wetlands or adversely affect the supply of water to the wetlands.

There are a number of wetlands, seven of which have been registered as Sites of Conservation Significance by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife. The hydro-morphic areas associated with rivers and wetlands need to be protected, managed and used sparingly. These are environmentally sensitive areas;

they are sensitive to erosion and provide links between areas, thereby providing natural pathways for the movement of plants and animals.