Huge strides made in environment protection
ZIMBABWE on Friday celebrated World Environment Day. The commemoration coincided with the first Friday of the month, declared by President Mnangagwa as National Clean-Up Day. Our reporter Debra Matabvu (DM) spoke to Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu (MN) on environment related issues. We publish excerpts of the interview.
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DM: The country observed World Environment Day on Friday. What is the significance of this day to Zimbabwe?
MN: As a country, we have a contract with nature. President Mnangagwa spearheads this.
It is our duty to clean the environment and keep it clean everyday.
The first Friday of each month is just a reminder, nationally, that we should keep our surroundings clean all the time.
Although the coronavirus pandemic has affected National Clean-Up Day events, some individuals have turned to cleaning their backyards as part of the campaign.
We have also seen our youth, who partake in environmental issues, visiting and handing over food parcels to the vulnerable groups of society.
Globally, the day helps us take stock of our environment. It highlights where humanity has been failing and encourages us to do better.
There has been a lot of biodiversity loss across the globe.
The uncontrollable veld fires in most countries, locusts affecting some parts of East Africa, cyclone-induced rains affecting some parts of Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, are a sign that we are failing somewhere as humanity.
Mother Nature has indeed showed humanity that we are failing through climate change.
On World Environment Day, I delivered a speech, via Zoom, of the progress that has been done through various initiatives by Government to manage and clean the environment.
I also acknowledged areas that need to be improved by everyone.
DM: You mention areas that need improvement. How effective has been the National Clean-Up Day in improving the culture, among Zimbabweans, towards a clean environment?
MN: There has been a lot of progress registered by the National Clean-Up Day. It has inculcated a culture of cleanliness among Zimbabweans.
Corporates are participating in clean-up campaigns and some have even taken up or adopted various spaces in cities and towns.
We are slowly changing our habits.
Zimbabweans are taking the initiative to clean their environment and surroundings, without being asked.
DM: There has been a lot of construction of residential and commercial properties on wetlands
across the country. What are the measures Government is implementing to protect wetlands?
MN: Wetlands are an integral part of the environment and play a very important role in the environment. However, there has been a lot of construction taking place in wetlands due to various factors. The President has tasked us to come up with a map of all wetlands in Harare, which will extend to other cities and towns. There will also be guidelines on how to effectively deal with the issue of wetlands. There are cases of disagreements between local authorities and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
At times, residents are issued title deeds by local authorities, but EMA will come in and declare the place a wetland. We hope the maps and guidelines will help us come up with measures on how to deal with the issue. DM: Local authorities are failing to manage litter and
wastewater. What are some of the plans by your ministry to assist these institutions?
MN: The issue of littering is not entirely an issue for one individual or organisation. Everyone should be involved.
That is why the President introduced the National Clean-Up Day. It was a way of encouraging everyone to play a part in the cleaning and management of the environment.
We have been working with local authorities on how to handle liquid and solid waste effectively.
We have also been working with them on the importance of acquiring modern technologies for waste management.
DM: There was rampant deforestation in urban areas at the height of load shedding and in farming communities where trees were cut for tobacco curing. What is the lasting solution to deforestation?
MN: As you have alluded, the issue of tree cutting in most peri-urban areas is mainly caused by load shedding which is a temporary issue.
In any case, the issue of load shedding and deforestation is a cycle of climate change.
The cycle begins by cutting down of trees and the resultant is less rains. When we experience low rainfall patterns, it means hydro-power stations like Kariba will reduce operating capacity leading to shortages of electricity.
That power shortage will also cause cutting down of more trees.
As such, it is a cycle. However, I believe that load shedding was temporary and we should now see less cutting down of trees. We have also been working with tobacco farmers in different areas across the country. We started planting exotic trees in place of indigenous trees.
As Government, we have launched the Tobacco Wood Energy Programme, aimed at reducing deforestation.
We are happy that Government in 2018 authorised the Forestry Commission to handle 50 percent of the money collected under the Tobacco Levy for use in afforestation programmes.
This will help in the afforestation programme.
DM: Zimbabwe has been grappling with land degradation caused by illegal gold miners and sand poachers. Rivers have been contaminated, while huge pits left by these activities have become death traps for humans and animals. How is Government addressing this issue?
MN: Like you have said; these people are illegal. Law enforcement agencies should handle these issues.
However, we are working together with the Ministry of Mines (and Mining Development) to regularise the mining areas.
We also want to seal off protected areas, such as game reserves, to such activities.
Illegal mining activities have resulted in wildlife migration.
“So, we are working with authorities to come up with solutions.
DM: There has been a lot of poaching in the country’s national game parks and an increase in human-wildlife conflict, what are the challenges in this area?
MN: We have recorded a surge in human- wildlife conflicts. In some instances, lives have been lost.
However, we have noted that in most cases, human activities such as mining and poaching are the main causes.
We have noted that climate change has also increased human-wildlife conflict in many areas as animals leave protected areas in search of pastures and water.
The other challenge is that Zimbabwe has had good conservation methods and this has led to an increased number of wildlife.
This has increased the number of human-wildlife conflicts as well as poaching.
There has been a lot of progress registered by the National Clean-Up Day. It has inculcated a culture of cleanliness among Zimbabweans. Corporates are participating in clean-up campaigns and some have even taken up or adopted various spaces in cities and towns.