Bio-diversity

Khwa Ttu is situated in 840 ha of ecologically sensitive land that has, in the past, been utilized for wheat farming. As rehabilitation was never done on the land after the land stopped being used for agriculture, a number of alien plant species have taken over.The rehabilitation of the fynbos and renosterveld flora is one of the top priorities of the Khwa Ttu San Culture and Education Center. This project includes the eradication of invasive alien bushes and trees that have overrun this area, and the re-introduction of the plant species that grew naturally in the area before the land was utilised for farming purposes. The second part of the project is the setting up of an indigenous garden trail which would display a collection of edible and medicinal plants, which were used by the extinct Xam of the West Coast. It is envisaged that the garden trail will be a place of learning, information and entertainment. During the course of the project, at least 200 different edible and medicinal plants will be collected and/or propagated. About 40% of these plants will be collected at Khwa Ttu. The remaining 60% of plant varieties will need to be purchased off site due to them no longer growing naturally in the region. The !Khwa Ttu Land Rehabilitation and Education Project would align directly with the Land Degradtion Focal Area. I Biodiversity Conservation Focal Area with the Climate Change Focal Area being a positive spin off from the land going back to its natural state, as well as, the training and education being given by !Khwa Ttu.

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