Cape Town's Newlands forest has new initiative to curb illegal bark stripping

CAPE TOWN - SANParks has launched a new initiative to curb illegal bark stripping in Newlands forest, an environmental crime that’s been killing indigenous trees in Table Mountain National Park.

To deter the practice of bark stripping, officials are now painting trees with grey water-based PVA paint and planting over 50 indigenous seedlings, including Cape Beech, Cape Holly, and Wild Almond.

The damage is mostly driven by the illegal harvesting of tree bark for use in traditional medicine and rituals.

SANParks’ senior communications manager Charles Phahlane said that a multi-pronged approach is needed to protect the forest.

"The strategy includes intelligence gathering, law enforcement actions, and proactive solutions such as painting of mature trees, seed collection and planting of trees in affected areas. We work with traditional healers to create awareness and find sustainable solutions.”