SANParks says vegetation recovery at Knysna and surrounding areas is well underway following the devastating wildfires of 2017 and 2018.
SANParks scientists say they are satisfied with the growth of vegetation in some of the trails to be re-opened in due course and where certain projects will be re-started.
Biodiversity Social Programmes Cluster Manager, Carlo de Kock says 37-thousand 800 hectares of vegetation were destroyed in the Garden Route fires of October last year, alone.
De Kock says a Biodiversity Special Programmes team started cleaning the areas soon after receiving approval from the Department of Environmental Affairs.
He says 30 teams consisting of 300 people opened the roads, fire breaks and cleared the burnt areas between November of last year and March of this year.
De Kock says one of the positives of the fires was that the teams were able to clear a lot of alien vegetation.
Meanwhile: South Africa's only walking festival is taking place in the Garden Route this Easter Weekend.
The festival offers over 52 different walks.
Hiking trails that walkers can use include the forests of Knysna, the pristine beaches of Plettenberg Bay, the peaks surrounding George and the wild gorges of Storms River.
The festival takes place from Friday through to Easter Monday.
Walkers can register and get all the details on the website:
https://www.walkingfestival.co.za/
- registration and most of the walks are free.
