BY EVANS MURANGANWA.
Harare, Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – Efforts by various civic organizations to save the capital city’s wetlands which are essential in water provision are being scuttled by a number of factors.
This was revealed at a training workshop on wetlands for journalist that was conducted by the Harare Wetlands Trust recently.
According to Harare Wetlands Trust co-ordinator,Julia Pienni, said most of the city’s wetlands are under threat from construction and urban farming and said this in future is going to worsen the scarcity of water .
“Wetlands are a vital component of the ecosystem in water preservation and curbing flooding but the city’s wetlands are under threat from the construction and informal agriculture.
“While drought has been attributed as the major factor in causing water scarcity ,it should be noted that the growing population which has seen many people being settled on wetlands could be the main contributing factor,” she expressed concern.
The Conservation Society of Monavale (COSMO Trust)project coordinator Dorothy Wakeling said while the Environmental Management Agency has the mandate to superintendent over violations of the environmental laws that govern and protect the wetlands it still has less capacity as it has to also follow procedures that are out of it’s own jurisdiction.
“There is the need for harmonization of all the laws that deal with protecting the environment unlike the situation on the ground where relevant ministries seem to be in discord, ”said Ms Wakeling.
She also urged journalists to be pro-active in their reportage to ensure that violations of wetlands are curbed.
Journalist who attended the training said one of the main hindrance to the efforts of protecting wetlands is the electioneering around parceling land that has already started in a bid to woo urban voters.
They also spoke on the need to up awareness campaigns among residents themselves so that they are not hoodwinked into buying stands on wetlands.
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