'Bark stripping' for traditional medicine: SANParks fights back
Environmental authorities are stepping up measures to halt the damaging practice of illegal bark stripping – an activity that has been threatening centuries-old indigenous trees within the Table Mountain National Park.
The unsustainable practice of bark stripping involves removing bark from around the entire trunk (also called ring barking ), which ends up killing the tree.
The bark is used in traditional healing practices, and can fetch up to R200 per piece.
'Bark stripping' not only destroys ancient, seed-bearing trees but also disrupts the forest's natural ability to regenerate.
To help prevent further destruction, South African National Parks (SANParks) has begun applying grey water-based PVA paint to the trunks of at-risk trees.
This non-toxic coating discourages bark collectors by making the bark undesirable for traditional use.
At the same time, over 50 indigenous saplings – including species such as Cape Beech, Cape Holly, and Wild Almond – are being planted along the Woodcutters Trail at Newlands Forest.
In July 2024, SANParks, in partnership with the Cape Research Centre and Biodiversity Special Project, launched a seedling programme funded by the French Government and Agence Francaise de Developpement.
Seeds were carefully collected and grown to seedling and sapling stage.
'The rehabilitation initiative is necessary due to the effects of illegal and unsustainable bark stripping that has occurred in the forest,' SANParks said in a statement.
'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.'
SANParks are also working with traditional healers to create awareness and find a sustainable solution.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
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The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
'Bark stripping' for traditional medicine: SANParks fights back
Environmental authorities are stepping up measures to halt the damaging practice of illegal bark stripping – an activity that has been threatening centuries-old indigenous trees within the Table Mountain National Park. The unsustainable practice of bark stripping involves removing bark from around the entire trunk (also called ring barking ), which ends up killing the tree. The bark is used in traditional healing practices, and can fetch up to R200 per piece. 'Bark stripping' not only destroys ancient, seed-bearing trees but also disrupts the forest's natural ability to regenerate. To help prevent further destruction, South African National Parks (SANParks) has begun applying grey water-based PVA paint to the trunks of at-risk trees. This non-toxic coating discourages bark collectors by making the bark undesirable for traditional use. At the same time, over 50 indigenous saplings – including species such as Cape Beech, Cape Holly, and Wild Almond – are being planted along the Woodcutters Trail at Newlands Forest. In July 2024, SANParks, in partnership with the Cape Research Centre and Biodiversity Special Project, launched a seedling programme funded by the French Government and Agence Francaise de Developpement. Seeds were carefully collected and grown to seedling and sapling stage. 'The rehabilitation initiative is necessary due to the effects of illegal and unsustainable bark stripping that has occurred in the forest,' SANParks said in a statement. '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.' SANParks are also working with traditional healers to create awareness and find a sustainable solution. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
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Reviving Newlands Forest: SANParks' tree planting initiative tackles ecological damage
Volunteers and SANParks staff plant indigenous tree saplings along the Woodcutters Trail in Newlands Forest as part of a large-scale rehabilitation effort to restore areas damaged by illegal bark stripping. Image: SANParks/X In a decisive step to heal one of Cape Town's most iconic green spaces, SANParks has launched a large-scale planting of indigenous trees in Newlands Forest to restore damage caused by illegal bark stripping. Over 50 indigenous trees, including Cape Beech, Cape Holly, Bladdernut, and Wild Almond, are being planted along the Woodcutters Trail as part of Table Mountain National Park's (TMNP) broader ecological rehabilitation programme. According to SANParks, the planting initiative marks the first phase of a long-term project, with a second phase scheduled for next year. Spokesperson JP Louw said: 'Rehabilitation has become essential due to the effects of illegal and unsustainable bark stripping. Bark stripping in the area, often linked to the harvesting of medicinal plant material, has severely impacted mature, seed-producing trees.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In response, SANParks launched an integrated approach in 2023 to address the problem. This includes law enforcement interventions, intelligence gathering, and the implementation of preventative measures such as painting high-risk trees with grey water-based PVA paint to deter stripping. The park has also stepped up patrols and rolled out educational campaigns, including community workshops and dialogues with traditional healers to promote sustainable alternatives. 'The strategy includes intelligence gathering, law enforcement actions, and proactive solutions such as painting mature trees, seed collection, and planting of trees in affected areas, and working with traditional healers to create awareness and find sustainable solutions. 'Partners in these initiatives include the SANParks Honorary Rangers, the Newlands Forest Conservation Group, and the Sugarbird Project.' These volunteer and research groups have worked alongside the TMNP team to collect seeds, monitor stripped areas, and raise public awareness.
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