THE Dusi Umgeni Catchment Trust (DUCT) an environmental advocacy group says it is important for people to understand the dangers of littering especially during the rainy season. DUCT activists say that the effects of littering are obvious in the levels of pollution seen in rivers and streams in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas.

Lethu Mahlaba the projects manager at DUCT says 2024 was a rollercoaster year filled with triumphs and challenges but its been worth the effort. They removed 5018 waste bags from numerous areas including streams. Through their work the enviro champs saved 350 645 kilolitres of water, resolved 64 sewer leaks, maintained eight community gardens and rehabilitated 39 illegal dumping sites

Mahlaba cited the positive impact that had been brought about by Enviro Champs, pointing to how they had helped in nature preservation efforts. He indicated how they had been at the coalface of clean- up activities and campaign throughout the year.

The advocacy group defines an enviro champ as someone who works for the common good in his or her area and according to DUCT, the initiative has given people meaningful work and helped develop a love for nature while ensuring a cleaner and safer environment.

The vegetable gardens that are maintained by the enviro champs which ensure that families and communities are provided with nutritious food. Photo supplied

Currently the advocacy group has 1 000 enviro champs that are working within the Pietermaritzburg area which falls under uMsunduzi Municipality. “We are humbled to have impacted over 1000 lives and have watched enviro champs blossom into confident leaders, our junior staff rising through the ranks, and have witnessed a sense of purpose igniting within certain individuals,” he said.

Mahlaba said that the advocacy group prided itself on being a catalyst for professional growth, transforming lives and livelihoods.

“We' are proud of the progress, but we're just getting started,” he said.

Enviro champs are also trained in citizen science; testing their local streams to understand the current water quality and have been instrumental in helping determine the E. coli levels in rivers within their area of operation.