WORKING TOWARDS THE PRESERVATION OF ZIMBABWEAN WETLANDS

Ramsar  Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, provides a framework for the international community towards cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

The Convention’s mission is,

“The conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

Wetlands are celebrated for their contribution to the environment and ecosystem. Their environmental benefits include the reduction of impacts of storm damage and flooding, maintenance of good water quality in rivers, recharging groundwater, storing carbon stabilizing climatic condition, pest control and acting as important sites for biodiversity.

Wetlands also provide significant economic, social and cultural benefits as they are important for primary products such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Coastal and inland wetlands are popular for tourism and recreational activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, camping and bird-watching. Yet others hold cultural, historical, scientific and educational significance.

Dedicated to the protection of Wetlands, Zimbabwe became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of 1971 with seven designated Ramsar Protected Wetlands Sites, namely Victoria Falls, Driefontein Grasslands, Middle Zambezi/Mana Pools, Lake Chivero, Monavale Vlei (Harare), Chinhoyi Caves and Cleverland Dam Zimbabwe has made provisions for the protection of wetlands under the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20;27), Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 on Environmental Management (Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection) Regulations and Government Gazette 380 of 2013.

However despite their significance and relevant instruments for their protection, wetlands remain under threat, not from natural causes but from human activities particularly for commercial and development purpose that include, agriculture, commercial and residential development, road construction, resource extraction, industrial siting processes, cultivation of forest trees (silviculture) and negligent practices of illegal waste disposal.

Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Trust through the visionary leadership of DR TREES, Shamiso Winnet Mupara made the decision to protect and preserve wetlands within Zimbabwe’s boarders, thus they participated in the unveiling of the Kasasa Wetlands Project held on the 18th of December 2017.In her speech, she gave an overview of the importance of preserving wetlands to the ecosystem and to human life. The event was held at Monavale Vlei (Harare), the area around the National Sports Stadium. The area which is a wetland was leased to Mr. Never Kasasa by the Harare City Council. Mr Kasasa, a Mutoko bred man, driven by the love of the environment particularly wetlands, dedicated himself to the preservation of wetlands by partnering with ZANU PF Department of Environment and Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, Harare City Council, Forestry Commission, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Trust, in advocating for conservation of wetlands and protection against degradation.

Wetlands should be left virgin but today they succumb to agriculture and construction activities resulting to their degradation. Speaking at the ceremony that was graced by Hon Priscah Mupfumira, Hon. O. Muchinguri-Kashiri (Minister of Environment, Water and Climate), Advocate Masimirembwa (Chairman of Harare Province), ZANU PF Department of Environment and Tourism, The Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, and Mr. Never Kasasa, of the Kasasa woodlot.The First Lady AMAI Auxillia Mnangagwa said, “Zimbabwe’s wetlands occupy a significant proportion of Zimbabwe’s landscape. There are approximately 1 117 wetlands across the country covering about 793 348 hectares or 1.5% of Zimbabwe’s surface area. 60% of wetlands fall within communal and resettlement areas hence the high levels of degradation.”Wetlands are important resources whose demise will leave us poorer.” She added that, “……wetlands are a source of livelihood in the form of food and water provision at local level. Finally, they are a national economic asset as they provide biodiversity which drives the tourism sector. What we are witnessing today proves that indeed wetlands can support livelihoods”.

Placing a mark on their advocating for the conservation of wetlands, the ceremony highlighter was the planting of Mukute tree/water-berry/ Syzygium cordatum and thus stand as symbols of the water recharging functions of wetlands that should be left uncompromised by human activity.