Eco route gets cleanup donation

The Green Mountain Eco Route, which forms a critical part of the Absa Cape Epic (27 March - 3 April 2011), has received a donation of R20 000 from Absa to enable the unemployed local farm workers and volunteers to help clean the area up after the race. The donation was presented to chairman of the route, Dr Paul Cluver, at a ceremony held at Oak Valley Estate. The route is the world's first biodiversity wine route.

View of the Green Mountain Eco Route

The Green Mountain Eco Route was established in 2005 with the intention to protect the 34 000 hectare Groenlandberg Conservancy, which forms part of the Kogelberg Biosphere, a World Heritage Site, which in turn falls within the Cape Floral Kingdom.

The express purpose of this route is to nurture the natural environment, while, at the same time, allowing for the social upliftment and sustainable development of the resident communities and businesses, and the cultivation of eco-tourism, which now flourishes in the area.

Geographically, the Green Mountain Eco Route spans a circular route of approximately 75km around the Groenland Mountain and includes the regions of Bot River, Elgin, Grabouw, Houw Hoek, Villiersdorp and Vyeboom. The route currently comprises 27 members, all hailing from different niches and providing diverse services, from: restaurants and farm stalls to accommodation, wedding and conference venues to wine tasting, tour operators, arts and crafts centres and outdoor events.

For more information, visit: www.greenmountain.co.za.