The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) is committed to environment-friendly development but is faced with a number of challenges, which it is striving to overcome through various initiatives.
Speaking at the fourth EnviroCon, held at the Intundla Game Lodge, in Pretoria, last month, Sanral environmental manager Mpati Makoa said that Sanral was committed to undertaking sustainable, environmentally sensitive development, while meeting legislative requirements and contributing to the environmental field through research, sponsorships, skills development and participation in relevant forums.
Further, she said Sanral was actively strengthening partnerships with authorities and industry bodies.
Makoa said that climate change was a significant global problem that required global solutions.
She added that South Africa relied heavily on road-based transport and its impacts have been noted and the need for mitigation measures has been identified.
Sanral, she said, contributes to national mitigation.
The challenges experienced by Sanral included routine road maintenance, the removal of alien plants, managing road reserve vegetation, improving water flow and stability, as well as conservation concerns and targets.
“Sanral has undertaken initiatives to ensure it stays environmentally responsible. These include the consideration of biodiversity and watercourses in the design of crossings; research and the recycling of road construction material, which saves landfill space and the need to mine new borrow pits. Sanral also ensures it uses renewable energy such as solar and wind,” Makoa said.
Sanral has an environmental staff complement of four, including two environmental trainees.