adminare life threatening, for example climate change, ozone depletion, and diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid outbreaks owing to poor waste management. At this point, let us talk about these environmental rights as prescribed in the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27).
Part Two Section 4(1) (a) (b) and (c) of the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27) presents the environmental rights for every person in this country.
The following three rights have been prescribed. Every person shall have a right to – (a) a clean environment that is not harmful to health; (b) access to environmental information; (c) protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations and participate in the implementation of the promulgation of reasonable legislative, policy and other measures that (i) prevent pollution and environmental degradation, and (ii) secure ecologically sustainable management and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
The above stated environmental rights are for every person in the country whether foreigners or citizens. Let us draw closer to these environmental rights one by one. The first has to do with environmental health. As earlier mentioned, some of the environmental impacts are life threatening. Public health is of greater concern, and it has been addressed in many international conferences.
Environmental aspects that have potential to pose health hazards include discharge of untreated domestic and industrial effluent into public streams, unattended sewer bursts, accumulation of waste at markets, emissions of ozone depleting gases, industrial dust emissions, spillages of hazardous substances like sulphuric acid, land and water contamination by heavy metals like mercury, and soot emissions just to mention a few.
It is advisory for general public to report all environmental incidences that threaten their health. For instance, an accidental spillage of a truck ferrying sulphuric acid should be promptly reported either to the nearest ZRP station or Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for clean-up and re-mediation measures to take place. Several incidences of this nature have occurred in this country including along the Masvingo-Beitbridge road. ZRP, EMA, Clean-up Agencies and Companies involved in such spillages have contributed to clean and re-mediate the spots of these spillages primarily for the environment and public health concern.
The second right regards access to environmental information. Environmental information is essential with regards to planning, preparedness, alerts, research, education and awareness, and also for advice. To illustrate, environmental education conducted by EMA in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders plays a major role in offering environmental information to people.
Information concerning such impacts like climate change alerts various experts and the general public of the changes that are taking place on the global climate hence planning and research are being enhanced. Consider an advice to grow a certain crop breed that adapts to climate change, such advisory measures follow due to the accessed environmental information.
Similarly, following the environmental calendar where days such as World Wetlands Day, Africa Environment Day, Zimbabwe National Fire Week, World Environment Day, and International Day for Biological Diversity, World Desertification Day, Clean-up Zimbabwe Week and Tree Planting Day are observed, environmental information is promulgated to raise awareness on respective environmental aspects during the commemorations of these days. This gives an opportunity for all people to access environmental information. The last but not least of all regards environmental protection. It is preferable and noble to first consider environmental protection before engaging utilisation of natural resources in any form.
Protection is not a hard-and-fast rule to say no to utilisation but it considers sustainability and proper management measure set in place before utilisation commence. For instance, a business proponent or company propose to start a mining project, before embarking on the project it is required by the legislation that an E.I.A process should be engaged were EMA will be the assessor of the process.
E.I.A. process basis on sustainable utilization of natural resources in a professional manner and presenting sound environmental management practices that considers social, cultural, economical, and bio-physical benefits for present and future generations. During this process, public consultation is also conducted. It is very important to note that, as long as the future generations are not deprived of similar benefits, we say the environmental protection measures are sound and in harmony with sustainable development.
In addition, Legislators, Traditional Leaders, Ward Councilors, industry, rural villagers and urban residents should join environmental law enforcement agencies like EMA, Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Rural and Urban Councils with regards to environmental protection. At last, you should know your environmental rights.
Environmental Officer (Environmental Education and Publicity) Environmental Management Agency.
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