The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) sent out a public notice yesterday informing the country of the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry’s declaration of wetlands in the Harare Metropolitan Province as ecologically sensitive in Harare, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth. This comes after a number of stakeholders invaded these wetlands for various reasons, chief among them housing.
The Agency further gave an important notice stating that all submissions objecting to the contents of the notice should be done by the 17th of October 2021 by formally writing to the agency via email. EMA has been fighting the insistent invasion of wetlands to curb the negative effects of their disturbance.
According to Harare Wetlands’ Facebook page, wetlands hold and provide most of the fresh water used and they also filter pollutants naturally leaving safe drinking water. They provide protection from floods and storms as well as help regulate the climate.
The Minister exercised his powers in terms of section 113(1) of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] and this declaration may impose limitations on development in and around the areas.
The wetlands under city of Harare are as follows:
Ashbrittle, Borrowdale Brooke, Budiriro, Bluffhill, Braeside, Belvedere, Borrowdale West, Carrick Creach, Caledonia, Chisipite, Cleverand Dam, Dzivarasekwa, Epworth, Eastlea, Green Groove, Glen Lorne, Glen Norah, Greystone Park, Glen View, Highfield, Highlands, Houghton Park, Harare South, Hatfield, Helensvale, Kutsaga, Kuwadzana, Mabvuku, Mbare, Midlands, Mufakose, Mukuvisi.
Marlborough, Milton Park, Mount Pleasant, Monavale, Manyame, National Sports Stadium, Northwood, Prospect, Rockview, Sunway City, Seke Dam, St. Patrick, Tafara, The Grange, Tynwald, University of Zimbabwe, Vainona, Waterfalls, Westlea, Warren Park and Willowvale.
Those under City of Chitungwiza are:
ST Mary’s, Unit K, Unit A, Unit B, Unit D, Unit J, Unit L, Unit N, Unit O, Unit P, Zengeza 2, Zengeza 4, -St Mary’s, Town Centre and Mason village.
Under Ruwa Local Board the following areas were named:
Chiremba, Epworth, Caledonia, Harava, Ruwa, Tafara, Seke Dam, The Grange, Windsor, Thorncroft, Damafalls Phase 3, Damafalls, Phase 5, Runyararo and Springvale.
Lastly, under the Epworth Local Board, the following wetlands were identified:
Epworth, Rockview, Chiremba, Jacha, Glenwood and Rex.
The extent and stretch is as defined in the Zimbabwe Wetlands Map accessed on EMA’s website. This move will help in ensuring the sustainable management of wetlands in Harare.
