‘Give chiefs powers to prosecute those who damage environment’

the Governor and Resident Minister for Mashonaland East, Aeneas Chigwedere, said.
Governor Chigwedere said this in his welcome remarks at the 2011 annual chiefs conference in Bulawayo on Thursday.
Bulawayo Province is hosting the conference on behalf of Mashonaland East as the province’s  capital, Marondera, could not accommodate the huge number of delegates attending the conference.

 

Governor Chigwedere said the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) had failed to protect the environment.
“For these chiefs to be respected in their communities, they should be given statutory powers to fine villagers for destroying the environment, impound firewood and fine those selling it because deforestation is a serious issue, which needs urgent attention.

“Chiefs must also have the powers to fine villagers with no fireguards by the end of May every year and those found starting fires or disturbing the environment in any way. It is unfortunate that EMA has totally failed to control the situation,” he said.
Governor Chigwedere said chiefs must take interest in their duties to lead their headmen and control the people, making sure the environment is protected for the benefit of the present and future generations.

He said the chiefs’ conference was the first to host chiefs’ wives, which was a positive development.
“This is a conference where the chiefs have to exchange ideas and acquire knowledge so that the country can have more enlightened traditional leaders.
“It is also a special meeting as the chiefs brought along their spouses for the first time and I hope it continues,” said Governor Chigwedere.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Francis Nhema, echoed the same sentiments, saying chiefs have to take their positions in uplifting cultural values and conserving the environment as climate change takes its toll on the country’s natural resources.
He presented to the chiefs a video clip on climate change to show that global warming was “a real deadly” killer.

Minister Nhema acknowledged that a lot of trees were planted and less veld fires recorded last year, although more could be done.
“Chiefs must make sure that the environment is protected. They must know that air pollution and veld fires are a threat to the country’s environment,” said Minister Nhema.
He said those who wanted to kill wild animals for ritual purposes should seek permission first from the ministry.
“If a chief wants an elephant, a buffalo or any other wild animal for rituals or Christmas, there is no problem. We only want them to seek permission from our offices and it would be granted.

“There are communities which have limited natural resources and it is the chief’s duty to preserve and protect the animals. Even the Bible says chiefs must have resources as a sign of their power,” said Minister Nhema.

The Governor and Resident Minister for Bulawayo Province Cain Mathema and the Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo, welcomed the delegates on Thursday, saying it was a privilege for the city to host the conference on behalf of Mashonaland East.