The City of Cape Town has published a revision of its Urban Forest Policy (previously known as the Tree Management Policy). It is open for public comment until tomorrow 30 April 2022. 

If you haven't yet read it and submitted your comments, you still have a chance! 

Today, 29 April 2022, 33 scientists and specialists submitted their comments to this draft policy. The FOTP have published these comments on our blog page (https://tokaipark.com/2022/04/urban-forest-policy/), with permission. Please feel free to have a look at the comments by these experts, and if you agree, you could simply copy and paste the text, or part of it, as your own submission. It is very important that we all have our say, so we really encourage you to do so. 

The critical part is to submit your comments by the end of the day tomorrow (30 April) either by filling out this online form, or by email to Anthea Bendie on anthea.bendie@capetown.gov.za. 

What are some of the highlights or key points and concerns?
1. Planting "the right trees in the right place", and that the policy needs to be placed in the broader context of conservation and safety needs in Cape Town.
2. The policy does not address the requirements of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA Act 10 of 2004).  
3. The policy does not adequately handle the eradication of invasive species under the AIS Regulations of NEM:BA. 
4. There has been an unfortunate misinterpretation of the alien invasive species regulations.
5. The City of Cape Town is situated within the Cape Floristic Kingdom.  There is no mention of fynbos, or the importance of protecting habitat for fynbos types and species. 
6. The policy makes no mention of fire.  
7. The goal of 10% tree cover is incongruous for greater Cape Town. 
8. Indeed, what the City needs is a Vegetation Management Policy, and not an Urban Forest Policy. 
 

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