Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
ZIMBABWE will this Tuesday jointly commemorate World Wildlife Day and Africa Environment Day at the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority gardens in Harare, with a renewed focus on the protection of medicinal and aromatic plant species.
In a statement, the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife said the commemorations provide a platform to celebrate biodiversity, raise public awareness and reaffirm national commitment to conserving natural resources.
This year’s World Wildlife Day is being observed under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”, while Africa Environment (Wangari Maathai) Day carries the theme “Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihood”.
The focus places medicinal and aromatic plants at the centre of conservation discourse, recognising their contribution to healthcare systems, cultural identity and rural livelihoods. Across Zimbabwe and the wider African region, such species remain integral to traditional medicine and community-based economies.
However, environmental authorities note that these plant species are increasingly under pressure from habitat degradation, overharvesting and illicit trade. Conservationists argue that balancing utilisation with sustainability is critical to preserving biodiversity while supporting community needs.
Zimbabwe recently completed its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which prioritises the sustainable use of wild species and acknowledges the role of Indigenous knowledge systems in conservation efforts. The framework aligns national environmental policy with broader regional and global biodiversity commitments.
Tuesday’s event is expected to bring together conservation stakeholders, including traditional medicine practitioners, researchers, students and environmental organisations. Exhibitions and dialogue sessions will explore policy implementation, research findings and community-led conservation initiatives.
The commemorations come at a time when governments across the continent are seeking to strengthen biodiversity protection amid climate change pressures and expanding land use demands.
