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Villagers of Hwange’s Kalala and Chenambi have called for urgency regarding the need to protect wetlands in their communities as a mitigatory measure to curb the effects of climate change.
Speaking during the belated World Wetlands Day spearheaded by Green Shango Trust in partnership with Environmental Management Agency (EMA) at Kalala and Lunkunkuni wetland, Kachechete, ward Councilor Givemore Moyo applauded efforts by stakeholders in protecting the wetlands.
“We are happy that stakeholders are now coming together in protecting this wet land.”
He said the environment promoters also need to educate the community on the benefits of wetlands on the environment.
“Recently there was no knowledge on how to preserve this area, but we are happy that every stakeholder is now involved. Whatever developmental projects done for the wetland need to be known, we want the wetlands to remain for the next generation.”
Hwange district Environment Technician Ntandoyenkosi Mayisa said EMA is working together with other relevant authorities in protecting the wetlands.
He said Wetlands are nature’s shock absorbers and act as natural sponges absorbing rainfall, recharging aquifers, creating wide surface pools and reducing flooding.
“The wetlands also act as storage facilities and they also help to safeguard against drought and increase resilience against climate change hence there is a need of combined efforts in protecting the wetland,” he said.
Mayisa encouraged Jambezi villagers to emanate Kasibo whose villagers who are now enjoying the benefits of preserving a wetland.
“Wetlands provide sustainable products and livelihoods. Of late in Kasibo they have thriving projects with irrigation due to their protection of a wetland.”
The Deputy Director of Green Shango Trust, Nkosikhona Sibanda mainly emphasized on the youth to take part in protecting the environment.
“We want to call upon youths in our communities to be forth coming when it comes to environmental protection. Us the youths are the future, it is our responsibility to participate effectively and protect the environment because if we do not do that, generations to come will not enjoy a clean environment,” Sibanda said
As part of the celebration Green Shango donated 30 mangoe trees to the Jambezi communities.
The protection of wetlands is one of government’s priorities in its National Development Strategy (NDS1).
Wetlands are ecologically fragile ecosystems that require sustainable management hence in Zimbabwe prior authority should be sought from the Environmental Management Agency. Indaba
