…as the world commemorates World Wetlands Day
Melinda Kusemachibi
Wetlands are part of landscape that are defined by the presence of water and frequently occurs along streams in poorly drained depressions or in the shallow waters along the boundaries of lakes, ponds and rivers.
Zimbabwe has not been spared from the destruction of wetlands primarily because of human activity on the country’s wetlands that cover three percent of the country’s total landscape (11 717.4km2).
Of the available wetlands a meagre 21percent are stable while 18percent are severely degraded and 61percent moderately degraded.
As the world commemorates World Wetlands Days, the theme for the 2022 edition is ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’. The theme calls for people around the globe to engage in actions that do not destroy the wetlands but those that help then to tell sustainable environmental stories.
Every year, on this day the whole world is reminded of the sustainable role of wetlands on a global scale, as requiring multi-scale approaches of enhancing the interaction between people and biodiversity.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) said the wetland sites in Zimbabwe are protected by the laws of Environmental Management Act (EMA).
“Zimbabwe has designated seven wetland sites of international importance covering 453,828 of land. These wetland sites are protected in terms of section 73 of the Constitution, the Environmental Management Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment & Ecosystems Protection Regulations.
“Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Ramsar convention, which is a global inter- governmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
“In line with the Ramsar Convention, section 2 of the Environmental Management Act defines wetlands as “areas of marsh, fen, pea-land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including riparian land adjacent,” read the ZELA statement.
Areas with wetlands are being turned into residential areas, with some now a hive of commercial activities where service stations, housing communities and other business related facilities have taken over.
In Shurugwi district, wetlands were lost at an average rate of 0.6 percent per annum. It is in response to this destruction of wetlands that the EMA facilitated the development of a Draft Wetland Policy.
In Masvingo Urban, it is reported that 13 houses in Runyararo West are built on wetlands and were reportedly supposed to be demolished.
Social Economic Action and Transformation for Humanity Chairperson Tendai Mafuka said they will work with other organizations for betterment of the environment.
“First we will stand in solidarity with all organizations and entities working towards the betterment of environment and climate action because we are all running towards the same direction. In our terms of tackling the climate crisis and addressing environmental cases, we are spreading information through different capacity building ideas,” said Mafuka.
She went on to say that they have since lined up a number of activities inclined with the day as a way of advocating for the protection of wetlands which also help to prevent floods.
“As the World Wetlands Day approaches on February 02, 2022 we acknowledge that wetlands act as carbon sinks, mitigate climate change and sustains high biodiversity of animals and plant life. They are like giant sponges absorbing water which would otherwise be lost as run off, preventing flooding, siltation and erosion.
“We have different activities in place, we are going to plant trees, trainings on nature based solutions for disaster and climate resilience, trees giveaway, environmental observations which are meant to enhance youths participation towards climate and environment sector,” said Mafuka.
Wetlands are valuable for food protection, water quality improvement, shoreline erosion control, natural products recreation and aesthetic wetlands on earth providing shelter and nursery areas for commercially and recreationally important animals like fish.
Manica Youth Assembly Environmental Officer Melissa Mhaka said that as they commemorate World Wetlands Day, they are focusing on preserving wetlands which wetlands should be a no go area not be used as stands.
“As an organization we have many activities in line which include tree planting, embracing Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14 and 15, planning on doing livelihoods projects of recyclying. As we commemorate World Wetlands Day we are focusing on preserving our wetlands and they should be no go area,” said Mhaka.
EMA Masvingo Environmental Education and Publicity Officer Brian Makani said wetlands are important and should be preserved.
“Wetlands in and around the country should be preserved. No vandalism should be done at any place near wetlands. This day makes us always remember to preserve our wetlands as they help to clean rainy water,” said Makani.
The Njovo wetlands in Masvingo’s ward 17 in Zezayi village are a shining example of how communities can benefit from the sustainable management of the environment.
