Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE has intensified efforts to strengthen youth participation in wetland conservation through a nationwide engagement programme as the country seeks to promote sustainable management of critical ecosystems and curb growing environmental degradation.
Harare currently holds presidency of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention),
The programme, spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Ramsar Youth Steering Committee with support from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), aims to operationalise Ramsar Resolution XIV.12, which calls for stronger youth involvement in wetland conservation and environmental governance.
The initiative recently commenced in Manicaland Province, where young people from Mutasa, Chimanimani and Makoni districts participated in consultations focused on wetland protection, environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management.
Zimbabwe assumed the presidency of the Ramsar Convention at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) held in Victoria Falls last year, placing the country at the forefront of global efforts to advance wetland conservation.
The consultations sought to raise awareness of the ecological and socio-economic importance of wetlands, promote indigenous knowledge systems and strengthen youth leadership and participation in environmental management.
Traditional leaders and community elders who attended the engagements shared cultural practices that historically helped protect wetlands.
These included restrictions on washing clothes, bathing, grazing livestock, cultivating crops and cutting down trees within wetland areas.
Participants expressed concern over increasing pressure on wetlands from human activities such as unsustainable farming, sand abstraction, urban expansion and industrial development.
Speaking during the consultations, Village Head Kudzai Charumuka of Mutasa said communities needed to revive traditional conservation practices to safeguard fragile ecosystems.
“Mutasa has several cultural norms. As you can see, we have sacred mountains surrounding us which slowly release water into these wetlands. However, people are now beginning to mine sand in rivers and build on wetlands, among other harmful practices,” he said.
“As you can see, the Muonde tree has dried up, yet it is a tree renowned for never drying up. This shows the extent of environmental degradation taking place.”
African Youth Initiative on Climate Change Zimbabwe (AYICC-Zim) national coordinator Mr Jean-Bertrand Mhandu said wetlands are vital for both livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
“Wetlands are very important as they provide habitats for wildlife, help control floods, filter pollution, act as buffers against storms and strong winds, serve as carbon sinks and support tourism and recreational activities,” he said.
The consultations also generated proposals for wetland restoration projects and explored ways of integrating indigenous knowledge systems into modern conservation efforts.
Young participants called for the establishment of formal structures that would allow them to play a more active role in wetland management through employment opportunities, community projects and volunteer programmes.
Zimbabwe Ramsar Youth Focal Point Ms Linda Masudze said the consultations form part of a broader national process aimed at strengthening youth participation during Zimbabwe’s Ramsar presidency and beyond.
“As part of Zimbabwe’s commitment to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and Resolution XIV.12, EMA is supporting us to spearhead a critical consultative process throughout the country to conduct a thorough gap analysis and determine how youth participation can be elevated across Zimbabwe during our Ramsar presidency and beyond,” she said.
“We are proud to collaborate with key youth organisations such as the Earth Co-existence Initiative and the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change to ensure inclusive, community-driven results.”
The nationwide consultations are expected to inform future policies and programmes aimed at empowering young people to take a leading role in wetland conservation while helping Zimbabwe fulfil its commitments under the Ramsar Convention.
