By Tatiana Mhararira
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has implored people to be more vigilant about the conservation of wetlands, saying they are a natural treasure that would continuously benefit the environment long term.
As the world commemorates World Wetlands Day on February 2 every year, EMA said the ecological role played by wetlands was vital, and they should be protected at all cost.
Speaking to TellZim News, Environmental Education and Publicity Officer Masvingo Province Munyaradzi Mtisi said wetlands in Masvingo province that include Driefontein wetland which is enlisted as a Ramsar site and is located in Gutu, Njovo and Marongere wetlands in Masvingo district, Matungamire, Mukweture, Maturure and Chapedo wetlands in Bikita districts were a treasure.
“Wetlands act as a sponge, thus they have the capacity to absorb a lot of water during the rainy season and slowly release the water during the dry season resulting in ground water recharge.
“Their water absorption capacity also result in the control of flooding. Wetlands also act as a habitat for quite a number of species including birds, reptiles, aquatic live and other wildlife. This helps increase biodiversity of the local area.
“They are also important for the regulation of the microclimatic areas. Wetlands act as carbon sinks. They are important in the purification of both surface and underground water through filtration. Wetlands are also a source of water for humans and livestock,” said Mtisi.
Mtisi said EMA was working on wetland conservation around Masvingo provinc aimed at protecting wetlands.
“We have a number of big projects where we have worked with some development partners and other government departments like Njovo Community Wetland Project, Marongere Community Wetland Project, among others.
“We have fenced the wetlands, established community gardens, constructed weirs and established other community projects like aquaculture and apiculture,” said Mtisi.
He also said individuals were encouraged to take part in wetland and to abide by the wetland protection legislation in Zimbabwe. As they were very key and sensitive ecosystems.
The World Wetlands Day is a day commemorated to mark the signing of the Treaty on the Conservation of Wetlands, which was signed on the 2nd of February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
The Treaty became popularly known as the Ramsar Convention and its aim is to raise public awareness on conservation, proper utilisation and management of wetlands and their resources.
This year (2025) World Wetlands Day’s theme is, “Protecting wetlands for our common future.”
