Clean environment is everyone’s right

situation where at least 4 200 lives were lost due to a cholera outbreak due to poor sewerage management would be unbearable.
It is against this background that people should understand their environment as well as its related rights.
Why is the environment important to us?
The term “environment” is used to refer to our surroundings land, water, atmosphere/air, minerals, plant and animal life.
The environment therefore has a tremendous impact on the well-being of social communities and it well-being affects us all.
A healthy life that is supported by clean air and water, safe living areas with good sanitary conditions, sufficient and healthy foods is everyone’s right.
When the environment becomes degraded and polluted, it affects us all either in the short or long run regardless of our social and economic status.
We all strive for an improved quality of life, enhanced social welfare, significant reduction of environmental risks and ecological scarcities. 
Our children are also entitled to better opportunities, healthy and happy lives. As such, the need for economic development, social justice and a healthy, sustainable environment cannot be taken for granted.
Environmental Rights
Environmental rights like human rights are an entitlement of every human being irrespective of class, religion, level of education, race or creed.
It is therefore important and necessary for people to know and be aware of their environmental rights.
Such knowledge enables individuals and communities to say out and add their voices to environmental justice whenever their rights are infringed.
What the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27) says about Environmental Rights?
In Zimbabwe environmental rights are legally recognised through the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27). The Act clearly states that every person should have a right to a clean environment that is not harmful to health, access to environmental information and to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
They also have a right to participate in the implementation of the promulgation of reasonable legislative, policy and other measures that prevent pollution and environmental degradation.
Zimbabwe should also ensure a secure ecologically sustainable management and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic social development.
From the above, it is clear that the responsibility to the full realisation of environmental rights requires participation and involvement of all people in ensuring that the environment is well protected and utilised for people’s benefit.
It is our responsibility to ensure the environment is protected for the benefit of the present and future generation.
Every person, company, institution and local authority has a responsibility to ensure environmental rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. The realisation of environmental rights should not be viewed in isolation of other rights.
The recognition and fulfilment of environmental rights will enable realisation and fulfilment of other rights such as right to life and peaceful co-existence among others.
When environmental rights are violated and not respected, communities should be able to demand remedy and compensation from the violators.
Examples of environmental rights infringement
Exposing people to the effects of air pollution from mining and industrial emissions and fugitive dust, vehicle emission and burning of oils and tyres.
Illegal discharge of sewage as well as industrial effluent into the environment and non-timeous repair of burst sewers.
Improper disposal of waste (domestic, clinical, hazardous and electronic) and deforestation by outsiders for commercial purposes. Sand abstraction from undesignated sites.
How to enforce environmental rights
Demand that proper care is taken of the environment. Refuse the dumping of waste at undesignated sites in your area.
Report all activities that have an environmental risk. Lodge a complaint with EMA and/or with the Police.
Environmental rights should be demanded by the affected persons and all responsible duty-bearers should do whatever is possible to ensure the realisation and fulfilment of all environmental rights.
EMA remains dedicated to the statutory call to create a safe and a healthy environment for all of us to enjoy equitable environmental justice.
It also endeavours to assist vulnerable communities to claim their environmental rights through environmental education awareness campaigns.
The Agency firmly believes in the centrality and essentiality of an environmentally conscious society in promoting sustainable development.
In all its operations EMA works with and through community structures such as traditional leaders, ward and village assemblies.
Throughout the country EMA has established environmental committees and subcommittees to assist in the dissemination of environmental information which is essential for members of the public to become aware of their environmental rights. People should know that it is their right to:
Demand clean and safe water from responsible authorities. Residents should also demand regular and efficient waste collection and its proper disposal.
Demand a pollution free environment devoid of unsustainable noise and air pollution levels.
Demand access to environmental information and cause responsible authorities/persons to take appropriate actions to ensure and guarantee the full realisation of their environmental rights.
Please talk to us we are always ready to listen. Email: [email protected] or call us on 04-305543; Tollfree 08080028