Silverglen Nature Reserve

Silverglen Nature Reserve
Map of KwaZulu-Natal
Location	Chatsworth, South Africa
Coordinates	29°55′54″S30°53′32″E / 29.9316013°S 30.8923483°E / -29.9316013; 30.8923483
Area	460 ha (1,100 acres)
Governing body	eThekwini Municipality

Silverglen Nature Reserve is a 460 hectare conservancy on the Umlaas River located aside the suburb of Silverglen, Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. ^[1] The reserve is the largest piece of coastal grassland and bush clump mosaic in Greater Durban, and is home to the first medicinal plant nursery in Africa, established in 1986. ^{[2] [3]}

Fauna and flora

Silverglen Nature Reserve has the highest number of tree and bird species of any of the nature reserves in Durban. ^[4] Over 280 grassland plant species, and over 35 grass species are naturally occurring in the reserve. ^[2] Of the 120 tree species in the reserve, notable specimens include the forest milkberry, red beech, forest bushwillow and the silver oak. The reserve attracts a number of bird species, including the Narina trogon, green malkoha, and Burchell's coucal. ^{[2] [4]}

Crime and land invasions

The nature reserve was closed to the public during the 1990s due to violent crime, but was reopened in 2017. ^{[4] [5]} In 2018, residents from the nearby Umlazi township began illegally demarcating land in the reserve for settlement in what has been named a land invasion. ^{[6] [7]} The eThekwini Municipality has since erected a fence around the reserve to prevent further attempts at land grabs, ^[8] and following the discovery of a body in the reserve, an entrance was shut down by authorities. ^[5] In March 2021 two municipal game rangers on patrol were killed by unknown gunmen. ^{[9] [10] [11]} Following the discovery of another body in the reserve in April 2021, two men were arrested for murder. ^[12]

References

1. "Chatsworth Nature Reserve has potential for eco-tourism". www.cityofdurban.co.za. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
2. Olivier, Willie. Hiking trails of South Africa (Fourth ed.). Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN   9781775846024. OCLC   1015238773.
3. "Silverglen Nature Reserve and Nursery | Open Green Map". www.opengreenmap.org. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
4. "Community enjoys picnic at Silverglen Nature Reserve dam". Rising Sun Chatsworth. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
5. "Discovery of another body leads to Silverglen Nature Reserve's closure". Rising Sun Chatsworth. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
6. "Landgrabs - Silverglen Nature Reserve not off limits | The Mercury". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
7. "Protesters demand land and housing at Silverglen Nature Reserve". Rising Sun Chatsworth. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
8. "City to fence Chatsworth's Silverglen Nature Reserve to stop land invasions | Independent on Saturday". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
9. "Mayor Kaunda Condemns the Killing Of Two Municipal Game Rangers In Chatsworth". www.durban.gov.za. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
10. "Game rangers killed in a hail of bullets at Silverglen Nature Reserve". Rising Sun Chatsworth. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
11. "Warning over Silverglen Nature Reserve safety". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
12. "Two arrested following murder at Silverglen Nature Reserve". Rising Sun Chatsworth. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.