Blessing Chizhande
Fortune Mavambo Makoni [email protected]
BUBI District has intensified efforts to promote environmental conservation, waste management and food security through a clean-up campaign and tree-planting exercise held at Inyathi District Hospital in Mahamba.
The recent campaign, held under the theme “Inspiration, Cooperation and Action for a Clean Zimbabwe”, brought together residents, Government officials, learners and other stakeholders.
A total of 343 people participated in the clean-up, including learners from Inyathi High School, who joined efforts to clear waste from the hospital premises and surrounding areas.
Mrs Sihle Moyo, the wife of Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo, was the guest of honour and participated in the tree-planting exercise alongside the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small to Medium Enterprises Development, Dr Mavis Sibanda.
Chief Mtshane Khumalo, Bubi Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Partson Mlilo, Zanu PF Central Committee member Mr Nqabayezwe Maphosa and Ward 8 councillor Mr Ignatius Khabo were among the other participants.
Twelve trees were planted near the Bubi Training Centre’s vegetable garden, comprising two shade trees, three guava trees and seven orange trees.
The exercise came as Bubi Rural District Council continues to implement environmental conservation and waste management initiatives across the district.
The council’s environment committee reported 48 activities covering solid waste management, veld-fire awareness, wetland conservation, environmental compliance, land reclamation and community education.
The activities included clean-up campaigns in several wards involving schools, mines, clinics, business centres and other stakeholders.
The council also implemented cause-to-clean initiatives targeting identified waste hotspots.
In waste management, the council reported that 30 bins had been placed at Mahamba Business Centre, while a waste transfer cage had been constructed behind the shops.
Civil works at the landfill were reported to be 90 percent complete, while the old dumpsite was decommissioned on September 16.
The environment committee also reported conducting 245 inspections covering environmental impact assessments, solid waste, water effluent, hazardous substances and air emissions.
The inspections resulted in 43 tickets and 17 general orders, while 10 environmental impact assessment reviews were conducted.
Land reclamation and conservation initiatives were also undertaken in several wards, including gully reclamation and afforestation.
Communities were further engaged on veld-fire prevention and environmental conservation as the district intensifies efforts to promote sustainable environmental management.
Online Reporter