New fines to curb environmental degradation
MAKONI Rural District Council has upped its efforts to combat environmental degradation through 23 environment and natural resources conservation by-laws that have fines ranging from US$20 to US$1 000.
The by-laws which are under Statutory Instrument 228 of 2023 (Chapter 29.13) intends to curb the rising environmental offences in the district.
The council recently convened a stakeholders meeting that was attended by traditional leaders, the police, Government officials and agencies to appraise them on the new development.
There was overwhelming consensus by the stakeholders that the by-laws were long overdue as the district is saddled by a lot of environmental offences.
According to the by-laws, illegal mining or settling on State or council land without a permit will attract a fine of US$1 000, in addition to eviction.
Use of farm bricks at rural service centres, district service centres and townships as well as at public facilities like schools and churches will see offenders being fined US$500.
Commencing projects without an environmental impact assessment will see one being fined US$1 000.
Cultivating in undesignated areas, including stream banks, protected areas, road servitudes and wetlands will see offenders being fined US$100.
The same fine will apply to those who fail to put up fireguards.
Failure to protect wetlands by constructing structures in wetlands, as well as illegally cutting down trees will attract a fine of US$200.
Extraction of gravel, stones, pit and river sand, as well as commercial brick making without approval will attract a fine of US$500.
Occupying a homestead or an institution without a toilet will see offenders being fined US$200.
Those who fail to observe dates for destruction for cotton and tobacco stalks will also pay the same fine.
Makoni Rural District Council chief executive officer, Dr Edward Pise said the new by-laws are now in full force, and urged residents to adhere to them in the interest of protecting the environment.
“We are responding to the issues affecting the district. Last year alone, 19 schools had their roofs blown off by wind and our investigations revealed that there are no trees to act as wind breakers in the affected areas.
“Our district grows tobacco and hence there is a lot of deforestation. We have to act now, otherwise we will be left without any indigenous trees. We are targeting both farmers and contracting firms who do not supply exotic trees or coal to their clients.
“There are people who were resettled years ago and they are yet to construct toilets, this is now an issue of attitude, not poverty. We can no longer tolerate this because it costs around US$200 to set up a standard toilet,” said Dr Pise.
He added: “Council will work with other departments to implement these by-laws in order to bring sanity and order in the area.”
National tree ambassador and environmental activist, Mr Never Bonde applauded the council for coming up with the by-laws.
“There is need for council to be on the ground enforcing these by-laws so that people protect the environment. Council must be tough on tobacco farmers and contracting firms, otherwise there will soon be deserts in tobacco growing areas.
“People must be settled in an orderly manner, not what has been happening of late. Some have illegally occupied grazing lands, State land and mountains.
“It is every citizen’s duty and responsibility to see to it that the environment is protected for the benefit of future generations. The gazetted fines are deterrent enough to curb environmental degradation,” said Mr Bonde.