adminA number of scientists who have focused their research on unlocking the puzzle of what causes the sediment-laden cloudiness in rivers and the apparent increasing rate of sedimentation, discovered that it had been as a result of stream bank cultivation.
Stream bank erosion during flooding is also a widespread problem and streams at highest risk are those from which riparian vegetation has been removed.
The on-going uncontrolled urban agriculture in Bulawayo is seriously threatening the water sources and the quality of the city’s drinking water, environmentalists have warned.
The warning comes at a time when many local authorities around the country are struggling to provide clean water to residents due to the expense of purchasing chemicals that are used for water purification.
In spite of its implications on the environment, Bulawayo residents continue to defy the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) by cultivating crops near stream banks with the onset of the rains in the city.
Every year, the BCC slashes maize crops that would be at tasselling stage in a bid to stop the environmentally unfriendly practice.
Urban agriculture, if practised sustainably, is of paramount importance as it supports the livelihood of many people. It also provides a ready market to members of the public and significantly reduces the cost of living for low-income earners in the country.
Mr Kennedy Malinga said people were practising stream bank cultivation out of ignorance, without being aware of its implications while for some the need emanated from an innocent desperation to have a piece of land to cultivate.
He said many people who were involved in urban agriculture did it primarily for subsistence but were oblivious of the environmental implications.
“It is just a way of substituting buying commodities from shops. For example, if someone grows maize, they can eat it for breakfast as a substitute for bread or grind it into mealie- meal, instead of buying it from the shops.
“It helps at the end of the day, aside from the by-laws that prohibit stream bank cultivation,” he said.
Mr Dominic Tapfuma was also in support of urban agriculture in general.
“Frankly, commercial farmers cannot meet the required demand therefore members of the public would rather practise subsistence farming and meet their own needs,” he added.
In a survey conducted by Chronicle recently, residents could be seen planting their maize in places such as Northend, where they planted near Mazayi River, and in Mpopoma, near a stream close to the Railway Station, as well as along storm drains in other parts of the city.
Stream bank cultivation is also rampant in Makokoba.
An unidentified woman who was planting her maize along a stream bank in Northend said she could get away with the illegal practice because the local authority was broke and could not afford to monitor the activity.
“I am aware of the local authority’s law on the issue. They advised us to plant crops like beans and carrots to minimise damage to the environment but I cannot survive on beans, I would rather plant maize,” she said.
Gogo Miriam Ngwenya (73) said she had been planting on her piece of land in Makokoba for about four years and each year, she had been having problems with the local authority because her piece of land, which she allocated herself, is close to a riverbank.
She said she is taking care of three of her grandchildren, whose parents relocated to South Africa and to meet their daily needs, she has to plant some crops.
“I wish I had a farm or a piece of land so that I could grow my crops in peace and not always live in fear of having my crops slashed by the BCC.
“I have three children to feed everyday and I do not always have the money to buy food from shops so I grow crops each farming season on this piece of land to help substitute for buying food.
“My husband died many years ago but I still get his pension money. It is very little and hardly caters for our needs,” she said.
Gogo Ngwenya said her children were not doing well in South Africa and could not afford to send her money often to help take care of the children.
She has three daughters, who all do menial jobs in the neighbouring country.
Gogo Ngwenya said it was unfortunate that the BCC did not realise that they were not breaking the law intentionally but were forced by circumstances.
“If we had somewhere else to go, you would probably never hear about our clashes with the local authority because we would be having designated places to do our farming,” said Gogo Ngwenya.
She said she sometimes sold some of her harvest to earn extra pennies.
Due to their fight against hunger and poverty, many people are willing to take the risk of having to face the wrath of the local authority.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo said:
“The sin of stream bank cultivation is unforgivable and the council’s parks department will continue taking action against those practising it.
“We will continue slashing crops at every stage and those that are turning a deaf ear to what the council is suggesting will lose their crops.”
Clr Moyo said the BCC was not being harsh but was trying to find ways that would benefit both residents and the environment.
“It is impossible to take away agriculture from black people as it is part of our culture. The practice itself, however, must not clash with environmental laws and that is why we are saying residents should cultivate their crops where it is legal,” he said.
Clr Moyo said there were ongoing awareness programmes in all of the city’s wards, which are headed by councillors and would educate residents on how and where they could cultivate, without the
BCC having to slash their crops.
“We have put painted stones in all areas where residents usually plough and those will be boundaries marking where they have to start cultivating,” he said.
Clr Moyo said there were reports that some residents had been removing these stones and placing them where they wanted and the local authority was going to continue monitoring the areas and slashing crops where necessary.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) officials said stream bank cultivation and the growing of crops in undesignated areas was illegal in Zimbabwe.
The agency encouraged local authorities to enforce Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 in their areas of jurisdiction, as they were the ones who were fined by EMA when members of the public ploughed in these undesignated areas.
The law embedded in Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 says any operation, including cultivation, should be at least 30 metres from the highest flood level of any river, stream or natural waterways.
It also prohibits cultivation on wetlands, hilltops or steep slopes.
The maximum fine for the offence is US$500 and repeat offenders may be taken to court for stiffer sentences.
Online Reporter