![\"ccs-62657-0-08073200-1469258539.jpeg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-08073200-1469258539.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>Clearing alien vegetation from old plantations and water courses is one of the Glacier Storms River Traverse\u2019s projects to ensure the event remains water neutral. Photo by: Oakpics.com.<\/span><\/p>\nDespite being held in one of the highest rainfall areas of our water scarce country, the Glacier Storms River Traverse, which takes place from the 6th to the 8th of August, draws a significant amount of water from the local environment. According to www.waterwise.co.za<\/a>, in a water-conscious South African household each individual uses 71 litres of water per day. With this figure in mind as the amount of water which needed to be off-set per rider, for each day of the event, Dryland Event Management formulated their water neutral policy. Their first water neutral event was the 2013 Cape Pioneer Trek and since 2014 the Glacier Storms River Traverse has been water neutral two. <\/p>\n For the previous two Glacier Storms River Traverse events, an alien vegetation clearing programme was funded by Dryland Event Management and the 2016 event aims to continue the good work. Between September and December 2015 they cleared six hectares of a watercourse, which resulted in the doubling of the river\u2019s flow rate. Not only does the alien clearing offset the water used during the Glacier Storms River Traverse, it also provides 20 times more water than the event uses. This excess can be used to supply up to 360 local households with water. <\/p>\n Alien, or non-indigenous plant species, tend to be thirstier than the indigenous plants which would otherwise have stood in their stead. Each pine tree, for example, consumes on average 200 litres of water per day. In an area like the Tsitsikamma, where pine forests were once planted for commercial logging, clearing pines and allowing the indigenous coastal forest species to reclaim their erstwhile domains has broader benefits beyond water savings. Regrowth of coastal forest is vital to the sustainability of the area\u2019s biodiversity; it increases the available habitat for rare and endangered species, like the Cape leopard, and endemic species, like the Knysna lourie. <\/p>\n Glacier by Sanlam echoes this responsible approach. As a business offering a wide range of financial solutions, Glacier believes in the importance of remaining \u201csocially responsible and environmentally conscious.\u201d As Glacier by Sanlam Marketing Head, Zaida Essop explains the community upliftment and water neutral aims of the Glacier Storms River Traverse align with Glacier\u2019s values. \u201cAlthough we\u2019re focused on the preservation and creation of wealth, the impact of business on the community and the environment is equally important to us. It\u2019s vital that we make a difference where we can,\u201d says Zaida.<\/p>\n<\/a>The Glacier Storms River Traverse will be assisting the Tsitsikamma Village Inn in their community upliftment projects. Photo by: Oakpics.com.<\/span><\/p>\n