Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
[email protected]
THE Environmental Management Services (EMS) board has commended communities in Makonde District, Mashonaland West Province, for their commitment to wetland restoration and sustainable environmental management.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA)’s mandate includes ensuring the sustainable utilisation of natural resources, preventing pollution and environmental degradation, and promoting environmental stewardship through regulatory, monitoring, education and awareness programmes.
As part of efforts to assess progress on environmental conservation initiatives, EMA’s Environmental Management Services (EMS) Board Committee, led by Mrs Rugare Dhobbie, this week toured the Ditchwe Wetland Integrated Management Project in Ward 4 of Makonde District.
In a statement, EMA said the committee, which provides strategic guidance on environmental education and awareness programmes, environmental project implementation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement initiatives, was impressed by the community’s efforts to safeguard the wetland ecosystem.
“The committee commended the community for its commitment to protecting the Ditchwe Wetland ecosystem,” said EMA.
During the visit, the delegation observed rehabilitation works that include fencing of the wetland core area to prevent livestock from trampling the sensitive ecosystem.
EMA said uncontrolled livestock movement had previously contributed to the degradation of the wetland.
“As a result of the restoration efforts, the wetland recharge has significantly improved and the ecosystem is now recovering well and remains largely pristine,” said the agency.
The committee also toured several community livelihood projects linked to the conservation programme. These include a beekeeping initiative with 50 hives and a flourishing two-hectare nutrition garden producing crops such as cabbages, beetroot, sugar beans, butternut and tomatoes.
According to EMA, the projects are enhancing household food security, promoting biodiversity conservation and contributing to local economic development.
The agency said the Ditchwe Wetland Integrated Management Project demonstrates how environmental conservation can be successfully integrated with sustainable livelihoods to improve community resilience.
EMA urged communities across the country to actively participate in the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of wetlands in support of national environmental conservation objectives.
Wetlands play a critical role in water recharge, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience, making their protection a key component of Zimbabwe’s environmental management strategy.
