Story by Tamuka Charakupa
GOVERNMENT has called for a coordinated, whole-of-community approach to the protection and restoration of wetlands, as Zimbabwe moves to rehabilitate at least 250 000 hectares of degraded wetlands by 2030.
The appeal comes as the country joined the rest of the world on Monday to mark World Wetlands Day, amid growing concern over the rapid loss of wetlands due to illegal settlements, farming activities and unchecked land degradation.
Often described as nature’s water filters, wetlands play a critical role in purifying water, preventing floods, supporting biodiversity and sustaining rural livelihoods. However, continued encroachment is undermining their ecological and economic value.
Traditional leaders reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding wetlands, stressing that community leadership remains central to conservation efforts.
“As traditional leaders, we will continue to play our part in preserving our wetlands and culture. We continue to implore our village heads to punish those caught destroying and evading our forests,” Chief Nemakonde said.
“We continue to warn our village heads to desist from illegally selling land, especially grazing lands and wetlands. They also carry deep significance and occupy space in our cultural norms and beliefs,” Chief Ngezi weighed in.
Government and key stakeholders underscored the importance of embracing the whole of government approach in environmental conservation.
“Zimbabwe has committed to restoring 250 000 hectares of degraded wetlands and to designate five new Ramsar sites by 2030, adding to the seven we already have. Achieving these commitments requires collective action from all sectors, that is government, private sector, civil society, academia, and local communities,” Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Ambassador Tedious Chifamba noted.
Permanent Secretary for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Josphat Jaji, warned against continued encroachment into wetlands.
“When wetlands are built upon or degraded, their natural ability to absorb excess water is lost, leaving communities vulnerable. I therefore urge all citizens to refrain from constructing on wetlands and to respect the ecological and legal protection that safeguards these vital ecosystems.”
“We recently launched a report entitled ‘ Taking Animals into account’, highlighting the critical role that wildlife also plays in the preservation of our wetlands. We are saying, as we continue to discuss ways of restoring our wetlands, let us also take into account the role that wildlife plays,” International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Communications Officer, Mr Luckmore Safuli said.
“Communities are the lifeblood of environmental protection and conservation. If we are not working with the communities, then we are not really doing anything. They are the custodians and the guardians. They are the ones who live around nature. If we are talking about wetlands, they are the ones who live around these them and they also gain benefits from living around these areas,” Executive Director for The Conservation Conversation, Ms Rumbidzai Takawira stated.
As the world marks World Wetlands Day, the message is clear: protecting wetlands is protecting life. From sustaining livelihoods to safeguarding biodiversity and water sources, these ecosystems remain critical in the fight against climate change.
