adminZimbabwe is one country which has made great strides in prioritising environmental issues in its development agenda. This has consequently created keen interest among its citizens as people now see the need to take environmental issues seriously. However, there are common questions which people frequently ask about EMA .The following are some of the questions:What is the role of the Environmental Protection (EP) Department in EMA?
• Production of environmental quality standards.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review and monitoring on compliance.
• Hazardous Substances/waste use and handling. Provides emergency services in the event of an accidental spillage.
• Production of guidelines for ecosystems protection, management and utilisation.
• Regulation of waste generation and waste management.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation, mainly Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27) and its ancillary Statutory Instruments.
• Provides laboratory services.
What is the role of the Environmental Management Services (EMS) Department in EMA?
• Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs).
• Environmental Education
• Environmental clubs for schools.
• Environmental competitions for communities, corporate, NGOs and individuals.
• National commemorations for national and international environment days.
• Environmental projects.
• Environmental Research
• Training and capacity building of communities and other stakeholders interested in environmental management.
• Produces the national environmental database.
What are some of the environmental projects being run by EMA?
• Fire demonstration projects
• Hay bailing projects
• Land rehabilitation projects
• Coping with drought projects
• Sustainable wetland utilisation projects
Does sand mining and transportation require a licence?
Sand mining causes degradation of land. Sand mining and transportation each requires a licence from the Agency in accordance to section 3 of Statutory Instrument 7 as read with Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27). Develop an environmental management plan to be approved by
EMA before commencement of any sand mining activities.
• What are invasive alien species (IAS)?
Invasive alien species (IAS) are species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural past or present distribution threaten biological diversity.
IAS occur in all taxonomic (classification) groups, including animals, plants, fungi and micro-organisms, and can affect all types of ecosystems. While a small percentage of organisms transported to new environments become invasive, the negative impacts can be extensive and over time, these additions become substantial. In Zimbabwe common IAS introduced include:
• Lantana Camara,
• Water lettuce
• Water Hyacinth
• joint cactus or jointed prickly pear
• Wild oat
• Water fern
• Dodder
• Moonflower cactus
• Azolla
• Kariba weed
• What are wetlands?
Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water for all or most part of the year and support a wide range of our planet’s most diverse and varied habitats. These damp soggy areas act like a giant natural sponge, absorbing water, trapping the pollutants and releasing clean water which feed into our water systems.
Wetlands are ecologically sensitive areas and development in and around such areas requires permission in terms of 113 of the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27).
We are now in the fire season; please do not start open fires. Report all unattended fires in your area to EMA, Forestry Commission or ZRP.
Please talk to us we are always ready to listen. Email: [email protected] or call us on 04 310084/705661-2/ Toll free 08080028
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo