Story by Theophilus Chuma
ZIMBABWE is looking at expanding its listed Ramsar sites as the country assumes the chairmanship post at the forthcoming 15th meeting of the conference of the contracting parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP 15) to be held in Victoria Falls in July this year.
For the past 12 years, the government has implemented policies to protect this and other wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty that promotes the sustainable use and management of wetlands and their resources.
This is one site that international delegates will witness as the country hosts delegates from 172 nations, at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP 15) to be held in Victoria Falls from July 23 to July 31 this year.
“As the hosts for the COP15 and together with the other 172 countries, we will then be discussing how we can mobilise all relevant stakeholders. There is a need for us to embark on serious awareness campaigns on wetlands protection.
“Over the next three years that Zimbabwe will be holding the Chairmanship of Ramsar we are going to be mainstreaming and identifying additional wetlands for Zimbabwe,” Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba said.
The COP15 meeting is a critical pedestal to amplify the conversation on protecting wetlands as a protection against climate change.
“It will give us an opportunity to reflect on the progress on wetlands preservation as well as our challenges. We can then look at the input from international experts and funders for support to help in our conservation projects,” environmental lawyer, Ms Fiona Illif said.
The COP 15 summit will act as a critical conduit for Zimbabwe to highlight milestones achieved in the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Official figures show over 300 000 hectares of wetlands have been rehabilitated across the country, and these are supporting thousands of families who are now depending on them for livelihoods.
