Mtunzini Conservancy: Origins and purpose

In 1993, the then Mtunzini Town Board, in recognition of the existing attraction and potential of Mtunzini as an eco-tourism destination, appointed a committee, the Arboretum Committee, to advise it on open space policy and utilisation, to establish and arboretum and a network of hiking trails, have the town declared a conservancy and to liaise with the then Natal Parks Board (now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) based at Umlalazi Nature Reserve. The focus of the Arboretum Committee at that time was to both plant trees as well as to clear the town of alien invasive plants. Along the way, they held meetings, walks and talks to educate the residents about what was being done. Around 1995-1996, the Mtunzini Town Board, developed the network of hiking trails to make its natural beauty more accessible to residents and visitors. In 1998, concrete markers were constructed and placed along the trails and a map linking all the town trails to the Umlalazi Nature Reserve trails was published.

The Arboretum Committee became the  Mtunzini Conservancy in 1995, registering with EKZNW, and in February 1997, it registered as an NPO, updating to become a Non-Profit Company or NPC with Section 18 (tax-exempt) status.  A Constitution was drawn up with the following objectives (summary):

  1. Primary Objective:  To promote through sound management the conservation of flora, fauna and natural habitats within the Conservancy thus maintaining the special character of Mtunzini both intrinsically and visually.
  2.  To promote public interest and participation in sound environmental practice.
  3.  To monitor physical development in the area and participate as interested and affected parties in proposed developments that will impact on our natural areas.
  4.  To eradicate alien invasive vegetation and promote the planting of indigenous flora
  5.  To develop and maintain a Linked Open Space System
  6.  To develop and maintain hiking trails.
  7. To comment on matters of environmental concern in the Conservancy area
  8. To participate in local, district and possibly provincial strategic planning initiatives.
  9. To promote eco-tourism in the Conservancy area and beyond.
  10. To promote and encourage public awareness of the work of the Conservancy.
  11. To promote interest and participation in environmental education.
  12. To raise funds to achieve the above objectives.

Our Constitution