Harare wetlands under siege

Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter

Nearly 50 percent of Harare’s wetlands are currently under threat from rampant urban development, stakeholders in the environment sector heard recently.

This was revealed during a tour of Monavale Wetland and Cleveland Ramsar sites in Harare last week.

BirdLife Zimbabwe organised the tour that brought together key stakeholders highlighting the urgent need for concerted action to protect these vital ecosystems.

As Harare grapples with significant urban growth driven by rural-to-urban migration and escalating housing demands, the preservation of its wetlands has become increasingly critical.

The wetland areas are not only crucial for bio-diversity but also serve as essential catchment zones for the city’s water supply, a pressing concern in landlocked Zimbabwe where water scarcity looms large.

Despite the existence of a wetland policy acknowledging their importance, the ongoing encroachment has exposed significant loopholes that allow for development under certain conditions.

This has resulted in a series of legal disputes, with mixed outcomes, as local communities and conservation organisations such as the Harare Wetlands Trust strive to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems.

During the tour Ms Julia Pierini, the chief executive officer of BirdLife Zimbabwe, stressed the organisation’s dedication to wetland conservation.

“Protecting our wetlands is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of survival for our communities.

“As urbanisation pressures mount, we must prioritise sustainable development that respects our natural resources.

“BirdLife Zimbabwe is committed to collaborating with local communities and international partners to ensure that our wetlands are preserved for future generations,” she said.

The alarming statistic reveals that as of 2021, nearly half of Harare’s wetlands have been lost to housing and commercial developments with ongoing projects threatening to further diminish these crucial areas.

The need for immediate action is underlined by the fact that wetlands play a fundamental role in maintaining water quality and supporting diverse wildlife habitats.

Zimbabwe’s commitment to wetland protection is set to take centre stage as the country prepares to host COP15 for the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty focused on the conservation of wetlands.  The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

However, significant challenges persist including the need to compensate private landowners affected by conservation efforts and to assess the ecological impacts of proposed developments.