Environmental concerns rise as developers encroach onto wetlands

Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter

Residents of Borrowdale and surrounding areas have sounded alarm over the rapid degradation of wetlands in Ward 18 with the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA) claiming that their cries for environmental protection are being ignored.

The association highlights a troubling trend of encroachments on these vital ecosystems, with detrimental consequences for future generations.

BRRA chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira said they are facing serious problems with many developments that are cropping up on wetlands and impacting ecologically sensitive areas.

“The rhetoric on environmental protection is losing steam. We are witnessing a blatant disregard for our environment as developments overrun wetlands that have been preserved for decades. This is not just an issue for today, it’s a legacy problem that will haunt future generations,” he said.

Concerns have been heightened following the transformation of a wetland in Colray on Harare Drive into a cluster housing development, despite strong objections from local residents.

Once thriving with reeds and diverse vegetation, the area has been stripped of its natural beauty, leaving behind an unsightly landscape. Residents argue that the cluster house development has significantly diminished their property values and quality of life.

Further compounding the issue, another wetland along Wroxham Road in the Grange area has been subdivided into stands, with construction already underway. Allegations have emerged that some of these properties or their owners are connected to senior council officials, raising questions about transparency and the integrity of local governance.

“There has been no consultation with residents regarding these changes and we feel our voices are falling on deaf ears,” said Mr Mutyasira.

The BRRA has been vocal about the apparent complicity of the City of Harare and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in the failure to protect wetlands in the ward,

The residents’ body claims the two authorities have failed to take necessary action against these environmental violations. Despite numerous complaints and alerts raised by concerned residents, definitive measures to protect the wetlands have yet to materialise.

“We are in a dog-eat-dog zone with very little regard for the law,” lamented Mr Mutyasira. “Streambank cultivation is rampant, and no one is enforcing regulations. The siltation of our waterways is a direct result of this negligence, affecting not just our local environment but the entire city,” said the BRRA leader.

In addition to the ongoing destruction, residents have expressed frustration over the lack of renewal for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Greystone Park Nature Preserve and the City of Harare, which has left the preserve vulnerable as boreholes are being drilled nearby, further exacerbating water scarcity issues.

The BRRA is calling for immediate action from the council and EMA and greater community engagement in environmental decision-making.

“If we do not act now, we risk losing not only our wetlands but the biodiversity and natural beauty that make our neighborhood unique,” said Mr Mutyasira.

As urban areas become increasingly prioritised for development, it is the rural communities that seem to be leading the charge in environmental conservation. Traditional leaders in these regions continue to uphold the sacred elements of nature critical to their livelihoods, contrasting sharply with the urban disregard for environmental law and sustainability.