Stop wetlands destruction

EDITOR — Villagers in Jambezi communal lands, Hwange District, are likely to invade and colonise Lukunguni vlei which is a prominent wetland in this part of the country.

The statutory board, Environmental Management Authority (EMA) once visited the area so as to redress the issue with villagers but nothing tangible has been done.

Lukunguni vlei is a valley which runs from B.H29 and proceeds along the Zambezi escarpment to Lumbora.

Initially, the waterway was the source of thatching grass and a host of water sources for domestic consumption.

Villagers have since invaded the wetland and are busy tilling the clay soils, causing massive siltation to the streams which provide water for animals are recharging underground water zone for boreholes and wells.

It is a puzzle that EMA visited the area some time ago and allegedly allowed people to demarcate and allocate themselves pieces land for agricultural purposes within the vlei or less than 50 metres from the margins of the vlei.

Organic fertilisers which are used by subsistence farmers have caused a lot of migration of the pioneer species of flora and fauna.

The valley is now heavilly eroded and a lot of boreholes have dried up due to the diminishing water table.

EMA please, visit the area again urgently and stop the destruction of the wetlands. Victor Sibanda