Protect wetlands, urban centres told

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Residents in urban centres have been urged to preserve wetlands, as they play an important role in addressing climate change challenges.

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) information and publicity manager Mr Steady Kangata last week warned residents in urban centres against disturbing wetlands through stream bank farming and infrastructural development, as this has serious implications on climate. He said there was a case for urban areas to protect wetlands since they had a bearing on water supply.

“There is no effective service delivery that can be provided by urban councils without water,” said Mr Kangata.
“Wetlands are the sources of water and they must be preserved at all cost.” He said wetlands retained water during the dry season.

“Wetlands remain a panacea to the extreme effects of climate change as they play an important role in the control of floods,” said Mr Kangata.
“They also save as water reservoirs during drought. Last year, some areas like Masvingo and Matabeleland North provinces experienced some floods and where there are wetlands, the effects were not intensive. Wetlands play an important role in acting like a sponge that absorbs water and purifies it.’’

Mr Kangata said wetlands ensured that water quality was good as they acted as natural filters. He said it was unfortunate that most wetlands in urban areas had been invaded for housing construction.

“We appeal to home-seekers not to accept residential stands that are developed on wetlands,” he said. Mr Kangata said stream bank cultivation potentially impacted on aquatic life and the quality of water through fertilisers applied to crops. Zimbabwe will join other countries in commemorating World Wetlands Day on February 2.