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Rejoice Makoni–Herald Correspondent
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has embarked on a project-based extension approach to promote the protection of the environment premised on community involvement .
The aim of the extension approach is to strike a balance between environmental protection and improving community livelihoods based on the wise use of natural resources.
This was revealed by EMA’s Environmental Education and Publicity officer Ms Amkela Sidange in a press statement.
Ms Sidange said community inclusion through enhancing participatory approach plays an important role in the extension approach to enable people to buy in and realise their individual roles in the protection of the environment.
“The approach allows for the hands-on participation of the communities in the protection of natural resources through the implementation of environmental protection and livelihoods community projects,” she said.
“The Agency is in the process of strengthening the project-based extension approach through a programmed capacity building blitz across the country .
“Communities and their local institutions remain key in the implementation of the project hence training of traditional leaders and environmental committees is important,” she said.
Ms Sidange added that the blitz programme was being implemented with multi-stakeholder support and participation in conformity to the mandate and mission of EMA.
“EMA is the executing entity of the project working with other implementing partners which include local authorities, Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Private Sector.
“Currently the project is being implemented in eight districts from three provinces which are Midlands, Manicaland and Masvingo to build community capacity on identifying local environmental challenges, opportunities and solutions based on locally available resources” she added.
Ms Sidange said EMA is also working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care on stakeholder sensitisation programmes on proper handling of chemicals and their wastes under the Chemicals Observatory project (CHEMOBS).
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