adminGOVERNMENT has reportedly started de-silting some major dams in the country to help increase their carrying capacity that had since deteriorated due to high levels of siltation.
Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere confirmed this development saying the ministry was already using drag boats, which they recently acquired, to de-silt some dams and rivers.
“Although, off the cuff I do not have the names of these rivers and dams that have been de-silted, I can confirm that we have got these dragging boats that are assisting us de-silt these dams and rivers. The thinking is that some of these dams have lost their original carrying capacity due to the high levels of siltation.
“This will also be an ongoing process as we rely on these boats to do the de-silting, hence we will go province by province and we will further prioritise the worst cases,” said Cde Kasukuwere.
He also noted that with the dams de-silted and the carrying capacity increasing, surrounding communities could have larger and more reliable sources of water.
The minister went on to blame bad farming and mining methods which he said were leading to the high levels of siltation in dams and rivers.
“Our dams have been reduced in terms of carrying capacity and one of the chief causes is that of alluvial mining activities that have taken the lead in reducing the sizes of our dams in terms of capacities and changing the morphology of our rivers. These activities and the results thereof have a negative impact on economic activities meant to be driven from these water bodies.
“Even our illegal gold panners are going a long way in increasing the siltation as they just mine anywhere and do not follow the laid down mechanisms. We also have stream bank cultivation which is surprisingly still high despite continued efforts in educating people to desist from this,” said Cde Kasukuwere.
He urged farmers to maintain contour ridges to preserve soil and retain water to reduce accumulation of artificial fertilisers into rivers and dams leading to pollution of the water bodies.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) education and communications manager Mr Steady Kangata said there was an urgent need for communities to be educated on the disadvantages of siltation and encourage them to engage in practices that will help preserve water bodies.
“It is fortunate that our parent ministry has already started the de-silting exercise but there is a need for us to take responsibility of our water bodies and engage in practices that do not necessarily go on to affect the landscape.
“While siltation can just be ignored as having not much effect, in the long term it affects the very communities as the dam’s capacity is effectively reduced and further it gives the rise to flash floods,” said Mr Kangata.
The country’s major dams namely Umzingwane, Runde, Gwayi, Mazowe, Sanyati and Manyame are said to be affected by varying degrees of siltation due to poor land and environmental management.
Online Reporter