Pine and eucalyptus plantations have been established in parts of Zululand to supply wood to pulp mills situated at Mandeni (Sappi Tukela), Stanger (Sappi Fine Paper), Felixton (Mondi), and Richards Bay (Mondi). |
Pine and eucalyptus plantations have been established in parts of Zululand to supply wood to pulp mills situated at Mandeni (Sappi Tukela), Stanger (Sappi Fine Paper), Felixton (Mondi), and Richards Bay (Mondi). |
Name of conflict: | Mondi and Sappi plantations in Zululand, South Africa |
Country: | South Africa |
State or province: | KwaZulu-Natal |
Location of conflict: | Zululand |
Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
Type of conflict. 1st level: | Biomass and Land Conflicts (Forests, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Management) |
Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Plantation conflicts (incl. Pulp Invasive species Deforestation |
Specific commodities: | Pine Eucalyptus |
Project details | Tree plantations in this province cover approximately 250 000 hectares, providing mainly pulpwood to 6 pulp and paper mills. |
Project area: | 250000 |
Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 0 |
Type of population | Rural |
Affected Population: | thousands more |
Start of the conflict: | 1990 |
Company names or state enterprises: | Mondi Paper Company from South Africa Sappi from South Africa |
Relevant government actors: | Dept of Water Affairs , Dept of Forestry , Dept of Environment Affairs , Dept of Trade and Industries , Industrial Development Corporation |
International and Finance Institutions | Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) |
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Isolemvelo community environmental group (ICEG), Timberwatch Coalition |
Intensity | LOW (some local organising) |
Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities |
Forms of mobilization: | Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Involvement of national and international NGOs Media based activism/alternative media Community awareness raising through workshops and information resources based on extensive observation and research. |
Environmental Impacts | Visible: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Desertification/Drought, Fires, Floods (river, coastal, mudflow), Food insecurity (crop damage), Global warming, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Soil contamination, Soil erosion, Waste overflow, Oil spills, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity Potential: Genetic contamination |
Other Environmental impacts | Soil acidity increased and loss of natural soil microorganisms and topsoil. |
Health Impacts | Visible: Accidents, Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution, Occupational disease and accidents, Infectious diseases, Deaths, Other environmental related diseases Potential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Malnutrition, Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Violence related health impacts (homicides, rape, etc..) |
Other Health impacts | Plantation work is generally dangerous and unhealthy due to poor working conditions and exposure to heat, rain, toxic chemicals, fumes from machinery etc. |
Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Increase in violence and crime, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Social problems (alcoholism, prostitution, etc..), Specific impacts on women, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Militarization and increased police presence |
Other socio-economic impacts | One of the worst problems is the contract labour system which allows plantation owners to use temporary or part-time workers and not be responsible for providing benefits such as housing, medical aid etc. while paying extremely low wages. |
Project Status | In operation |
Conflict outcome / response: | Institutional changes A transformation of the land ownership and management scenario with full restoration of land to local communities as a solution. |
Proposal and development of alternatives: | Different land-use models designed to convert monoculture tree plantations into mixed species continuous cover forestry operations. |
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
Briefly explain: | Despite government promises to rectify bad decisions of the previous regime, it continues to support and to subsidise the establishment of industrial timber plantations that displace local communities, destroy biodiversity, and undermine sustainable economies in favour of corporate profits. |
Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
| ||||
References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
| ||||
Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
| ||||
Other comments: | Visit http://www.timberwatch.org.za/index.php?id=52 for links to video presentations on various aspects of monoculture tree plantations. |
Contributor: | Wally Menne |
Last update | 08/04/2014 |
Conflict ID: | 362 |