Cape Correspondent

CAPE TOWN About 220 people will be employed by the Cape Peninsula National Park as part of a project to upgrade nearly 340km of the 700km paths and walking trails in the Table Mountain chain.

About 50 tons of rock, obtained from earthworks completed during the upgrading of Chapman's Peak Drive, will be airlifted by helicopter to various strategic points along Table Mountain, from where work parties will collect the rubble to rebuild the network of footpaths.

This means that the park will achieve the goals of conservation and make the network safer and more accessible to hikers at the same time .

Cost estimates for the project amount to R35m, which will be raised through the environment and tourism department as part of funds earmarked for poverty relief projects. Other sources of funding include the Cape Town city council and the Global Environmental Facility.

Park manager Brett Myrdal believes this is a unique project "applying the concept of public works to conservation".

"This investment in the natural capital of the park is a vital element in implementing the park's vision of 'a park for all, forever', in that it aims to enhance both access to the mountain as well as improve the overall hiking experience," says Myrdal.

The project also includes the closure of paths that are not much used and the realignment of certain routes that are currently environmentally unsound.

Part of this upgrade is the long-awaited five-day Hoerikwaggo hiking trail, which will allow hikers to stay overnight in the park.

"Improved paths will also ensure that the mountain paths are able to handle the impact of 4,2-million visitors a year," says Myrdal.

"Our intention is to employ the people over a three-year period, once funding is secured," he said.

Also, the communities of Masiphumelele, Imizamoyethu, Westlake, Ocean View, Hout Bay Fishing Village and Red Hill will benefit from opportunities the upgrade presented, according to Myrdal.

Jan 23 2004 07:12:22:000AM Chris van Gass Business Day 1st Edition