By Virginia Njovo
Masvingo Province marked World Wetlands Day on February 6, 2026, at Nerumedzo Primary School in Bikita East Constituency, with communities urged to continue protecting wetlands through traditional knowledge systems.
Held under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge,” the event coincided with the celebration of the Chinyamaparo Spring, a vital wetland resource that has been preserved for generations through cultural practices.
The Chinyamaparo Spring is one of the many wetlands whose protection is essential for the preservation and restoration of ecosystems, as well as for sustaining local livelihoods.
Speaking during the commemorations, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Masvingo Province, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, applauded the Nerumedzo community for its continued commitment to protecting the spring.
“Today’s theme, Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge, is perfectly personified here. For centuries, the Nerumedzo community has protected this ecosystem using indigenous knowledge systems passed down by our ancestors, who understood that certain areas were sacred and had to be protected,” he said.
Dr Pazvakavambwa said the province was celebrating not only environmental conservation but also a cultural heritage that continues to safeguard natural resources.
“We are here to appreciate a miracle of nature, the Nerumedzo forest, famous across Zimbabwe not only for its beauty but also for its legendary harurwa (edible stinkbugs),” he said.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Provincial Manager, Milton Muusha, said Masvingo Province was currently protecting over 90 wetlands, with seven of Zimbabwe’s nationally recognised wetlands designated as being of international importance.
“The province is implementing 96 wetland protection projects in Gutu, Masvingo, Bikita and Zaka districts, all funded by the Government of Zimbabwe. Among these is the Driefontein Wetland, which is partly located in Gutu District,” said Muusha.
Muusha emphasised that traditional leadership and cultural values have played a critical role in wetlands conservation.
“Our discussions with local leadership here in Nerumedzo show that sacred cultural values have helped protect this wetland, proving that African heritage has always been the first line of defence for the environment,” he said.
Vengesai Village head, Maxwell Vengesai said ancestral rules and prohibitions have guided the community’s use of the spring for decades.
“We have been using water from this spring for generations by strictly following the rules we grew up knowing. This area is sacred, and there are many practices we must observe to ensure we do not lose this precious gift,” he said.
World Wetlands Day is commemorated annually on February 2, highlighting the importance of wetlands and the need for their sustainable management.
