Farmers warned against depositing chemicals in wetlands
hydric soil.
They also help reduce the impacts from storm damage and flooding, maintain A DEVELOPMENT partner has warned good water quality in rivers, recharge Mutasa, Nyanga, Chimanimani and groundwater, store carbon, help stabilise Chipinge farmers against stream bank climatic conditions and control pests. cultivation as well as depositing chemicals Villagers in Mutasa and Chimanimani in wetlands as this disturbs the ecosystem. have been using wetlands for activities
Speaking during World Water Day like gold panning and laundry, leaving commemorations in Mutasa District last the water dirty and chemically infested. week, Development Aid from People to This is destroying plants around the People (DAPP) chief of party, Mr Petros wetlands as well as leaving the water Muzuva, said wetlands could change liveunsafe for both human and animal conlihoods if used in a more sustainable way. sumption. The wetlands are now drying up.Wetlandsareareasthataresaturated, either permanently or seasonally, such However, DAPP has been educating vilthat they take on the characteristics of a lagers on good water management, among distinct ecosystem. other programmes since January 2015
The primary factor that distinguishes under the USAID funded C-WASH project. wetlands from other land forms or water This project is expected to end in July bodies is the characteristic vegetation this year, with 8000 households in the four of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique districts having been benefited from the $1,5 million fund.
“We have been educating and helping farmers around the four districts on the sustainable use of wetlands in order to change their livelihoods. To a larger extend we have been successful as most farmers in these areas have already embarked on fish farming and horticulture projects over the past months.
“It is important for farmers to keep water in these wetlands clean as well as growing trees around them so that they have a longer lifespan. In cases of drought, wetlands can provide water for our crops, animals and projects like brick moulding among others,” said Mr Muzuva.
“DAPP also worked together with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to discourage stream bank cultivation through awareness campaigns. Farmers should at least have their gardens 30 meters away from the rivers,” he added.