Guest column

RIVERS are a marvel to watch when they are in a state of perennial flow, snaking through mountains and forests in patterns that only nature can figure out. Their aerial view strikes as they weave and criss-cross each other, showcasing the creator’s craftsmanship, with their holding capacity unaltered and ready to support multiples of species and ecosystems.

Rivers’ support of community livelihoods since time immemorial by providing the precious liquid that is central to human survival is indispensable. One wonders why human activities are in conflict with nature’s magnificent gift making rivers dry, adulterated or rendering them extinct.

Many rivers in Zimbabwe have borne the brunt of the human careless hand and activities through gold panning, stream bank cultivation and pollution over the years, making it difficult for them to play their usual role of biodiversity conservation. Around the world, rivers have controlled the way people live and settle. In Zimbabwe, towns and cities are named after rivers near them, Kwekwe, Gweru, Mutare are good examples.

Even many rural communities and settlements derive then names from streams and rivers around them, Ngezi, Muzvezve, Mtshabezi, UMzingwane, Mbembesi, Munyati, Dete, Tokwe, Shashe, Gwaai, Shangani, Musengezi, Save, Ngondoma, Zambezi, Runde, Mwenezi, Sengwa, Hunyani, Lutope, Sasame, Mupfure, Ruya, just to name a few. It is also not a coincidence that most of these rivers identified are also names of schools in Zimbabwe.

Agricultural activities and artisanal mining have become huge drivers of the siltation of rivers in Zimbabwe. The crave for rich alluvial soils near streams and rivers for agriculture has contributed heavily to siltation, thereby reducing the rivers’ holding capacities.

Uncontrolled artisanal mining has destroyed rivers around the country. Many streams and rivers have been deformed and degraded in search of alluvial gold. Regrettably, no efforts have been made to rehabilitate the streams and rivers to