West Prop budgets US$1m for wetland restoration
THE designated wetland in Borrowdale West, which has been subject to debate and activist measures for preservation, will now be restored and upgraded by real estate company West Properties Holdings Limited (WestProp), which has set aside US$1 million to re-engineer the land into an eco-friendly park.
The company secured an environmental impact assessment (EIA) certificate for the land in 2015, but is waiting for the green light of Harare City Council to start the work.
WestProp chief executive Mr Ken Sharpe said yesterday that the wetland would be restored and upgraded into a nature park. The wetland lies between the WestProp developments of Pokugara and Millennium Heights.
Once it had been upgraded into a nature park it would be allowed to naturally regenerate and in turn bring people and nature together.
The WestProp vision and plans had been stalled by recent developments that had seen the land being sold to another company despite the prior existence of the WestProp plans and commitment to resuscitate the wetland.
“We have set aside US$1 million for the project and the designs are now available for public input and everyone is welcome to contribute to make this a reality,” Mr Sharpe said.
“The project fits very well into our live, work, shop and play theme as residents in the afore-mentioned residential estates would be able to enjoy recreational amenities within the gated community and Zimbabweans at large. The project entails re-engineering of the wetland and bringing back the biodiversity aquatic life and developing the land into an eco-friendly tourism facility that has walkways, bicycle tracks bird viewing sites, fishing and canoeing facilities.
“We will plant suitable tree species and lawns while preserving the existing vegetation. We are a very environment conscious organisation that is eager to see environmental sustainability, co-existence and thriving of ecosystems.”
Modern developers were creating and recreating water features for the benefit of residents in their lifestyle estates.
According to WestProp findings, urban water bodies act as natural cooling sources by facilitating evaporation, which contributes to reducing the overall thermal environment. ◆ Full story on www.herald.co.zw