light the fire only after a cutline of at least three metres surrounding the intended area to be burnt is constructed; the fire from three sides of the area at the same time so that the fire burns to the centre, while the fourth side serves as an escape route for animals; make available on site sufficient fire fighting equipment and labour when the area is to be burnt; and ensure that no burning is done when the day temperature is exceeding 25 degrees Celsius or wind exceeding 20 kilometres per hour or in combination thereof during the months of April to July. A person who applies for the controlled burning for the purpose of bush control or the removal of old overgrown must inform all neighbours in writing and obtain written approval from the neighbours 24 days before the burning is done. The regulations require a person who causes a fire to spread and cause damage to any property or forest resources, to pay compensation to a person who suffers damage as a result of that fire. The Act also provides for the declaration of fire management areas, and for establishing fire management committees. Such committees would develop fire management plans. The SEA suggests adjustments to this Act and its Regulations in Section 6, to clarify some of the uncertainties and to make its implementation more practical. With respect to fire: the exclusion of veld fires is regarded as an important factor contributing to the problem of bush encroachment, so the policy and regulations around fire management need to be streamlined. 4.1.4 The Soil Conservation Act (Act 76 of 1969) & the Soil Conservation Amendment Act (Act 38 of 1971) This Act provision for the prevention and control of soil erosion and the protection, improvement and conservation of soil, vegetation and water supply sources and resources. The Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry may issue directives to land owners in respect of, amongst others: The prevention of erosion, the denudation, disturbance or drainage of land; and Any other disturbance of the soil which creates or may create conditions which cause or may cause any form of erosion or pollution of water by silt or drift sand. Since bush encroachment contributes to reduced groundwater recharge, it follows that this Act could be used to make bush thinning compulsory. 4.1.5 Water Resources Management Act of 2014 This is important legislation in the context of bush thinning and value adding, because it requires appropriate management of water catchments and aquifers.
light the fire only after a cutline of at least three metres surrounding the intended area to be burnt is constructed; the fire from three sides of the area at the same time so that the fire burns to the centre, while the fourth side serves as an escape route for animals; make available on site sufficient fire fighting equipment and labour when the area is to be burnt; and ensure that no burning is done when the day temperature is exceeding 25 degrees Celsius or wind exceeding 20 kilometres per hour or in combination thereof during the months of April to July. A person who applies for the controlled burning for the purpose of bush control or the removal of old overgrown must inform all neighbours in writing and obtain written approval from the neighbours 24 days before the burning is done. The regulations require a person who causes a fire to spread and cause damage to any property or forest resources, to pay compensation to a person who suffers damage as a result of that fire. The Act also provides for the declaration of fire management areas, and for establishing fire management committees. Such committees would develop fire management plans. The SEA suggests adjustments to this Act and its Regulations in Section 6, to clarify some of the uncertainties and to make its implementation more practical. With respect to fire: the exclusion of veld fires is regarded as an important factor contributing to the problem of bush encroachment, so the policy and regulations around fire management need to be streamlined. 4.1.4 The Soil Conservation Act (Act 76 of 1969) & the Soil Conservation Amendment Act (Act 38 of 1971) This Act provision for the prevention and control of soil erosion and the protection, improvement and conservation of soil, vegetation and water supply sources and resources. The Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry may issue directives to land owners in respect of, amongst others: The prevention of erosion, the denudation, disturbance or drainage of land; and Any other disturbance of the soil which creates or may create conditions which cause or may cause any form of erosion or pollution of water by silt or drift sand. Since bush encroachment contributes to reduced groundwater recharge, it follows that this Act could be used to make bush thinning compulsory. 4.1.5 Water Resources Management Act of 2014 This is important legislation in the context of bush thinning and value adding, because it requires appropriate management of water catchments and aquifers.