An investigation by the environment department has uncovered that United Phosphorus Ltd operated without environmental clearance at its Cornubia warehouse.
The environment, forestry and fisheries department made the recommendation when it submitted a report into the blaze at theto spill over into the Umhlanga lagoon and the surrounding estuary and wetland ecosystem, destroying the natural environment.
In addition, the department found that a scheduled activities permit had not been obtained by UPL from the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. The municipality, according to the department, did not grant permission for the warehouse to be occupied by tenants. The Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve is a tourism hotspot and a free recreational facility. It is a prime research area and an attraction for migrant bird species, as well as marine species. The UPL spill caused a collapse in the ecosystem’s functioning and the department says the true extent of the damage is still unknown.
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