Acting Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Director General Steady Kangata has highlighted the critical importance of wetlands in the country.
Addressing legislators at a recent Local Government Parliamentary Portfolio committee meeting, Kangata underscored the vital ecological goods and services provided by wetlands, which serve as sources for rivers and streams globally, contributing significantly to water provision and natural purification processes.
“Wetlands are very key in any environment setup due to the ecological goods and services that we derive from them. They are the starting points for rivers, providing us with essential water resources. Wetlands can be identified by their unique soil types and the presence of water-loving species, which are indicators of these critical ecosystems,” Kangata said
He stressed that wetlands naturally purify contaminated water, a process disrupted by urban development.
“Turning wetlands into concrete jungles eliminates their natural purification capabilities. When rainwater flows over concrete surfaces, it carries contaminants directly into our water bodies,” he warned.
Kangata highlighted the historical context, noting that the invasion of Harare’s wetlands began around 2007-2009, when open spaces meant for city breathing zones were encroached upon for housing developments. In response, EMA has established a comprehensive wetland master plan and policy, demarcating wetlands and imposing strict limitations on development in these areas.
“We moved in 2021 to implement the wetland master plan and the 2021 wetlands policy, which include management guidelines and the gazetting of ecologically sensitive wetlands as no-go areas,” Kangata told the committee.
He urged local authorities to adhere to these guidelines and conduct due diligence to prevent further encroachments. Kangata also pointed out the limitations of current laws regarding enforcement and demolition of illegal structures on wetlands, highlighting the need for greater awareness and education to prevent such invasions.
“Our prayer is the awareness and education to ensure that we do not have these invasions in wetlands,” he said.
Kangata called for collaborative efforts between EMA and local planning authorities to protect these vital ecosystems.
“The planning authorities own the land, and it is crucial they follow the necessary legislative and policy guidelines to ensure developments are sustainable and away from wetlands.” Kangata said.
