EMA ropes in churches

THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Chinhoyi Council and Forestry
Commission have roped in churches to help them spread and educate their
congregants on the need to conserve the environment.
Taking cognisance of the huge numbers that churches draw weeks, the stakeholders
have seen the importance that the churches can play in mobilising people on the need
for environmental protection. In the spirit of the saying that charity begins at home, they
saw it necessary to rope in churches.
Since cleanliness is next to Godliness, taking care of the environment should also begin
at the church through sermons, workshops and other programmes that they do,
especially with the youth.
The church can play a significant role in addressing the environmental crisis by
educating, advocating, taking action and adopting sustainable practices, and so help to
create a more just and sustainable world.
Churches can direct action in protecting the environment and this could involve planting
trees, cleaning up pollution or protesting against harmful environment practices. Some
churches and other stakeholders have suggested that each person plants a tree on his
or her birthday as a way of paying back to the environment.
So with this in mind, EMA, council and the Forestry Commission engaged church
leaders during a workshop held last week at Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ)
building in Brundish Chinhoyi.
EMA Provincial Education and Publicity Officer, Munyaradzi Nhariswa, said they
engaged the church after realising that they are behind in participating in environment
issues.
“As EMA we realised that there is a key stakeholder, that of the church that is lagging
behind in environmental issues and programmes that we do. We then decided to hold
this workshop to brainstorm and chart the way forward on how we can all take care of
our environment. As we all return to our various places, they (churches) will share the
message of how we can all play our roles in looking after our environment and
constantly reminding them of their duties,” he said.

“Izvi tazviita zvakare takatarisana na September anove zvakare Clean-up Month ye
Zimbabwe, so toda kuona kuti munhu wese kusanganisira vedzisvondo varikuita
participate muma clean-up programmes,” said Nhariswa.
Nyasha Matandi of the Zion Christian Church said it was everybody’s duty to make sure
the environment is clean and encouraged stakeholders to work together with EMA while
they also make sure they emphasise on people breaking the law on littering.
Stanely Shereni, a church leader, said EMA should also do their work of enforcing the
law and educating people.
“Ini samufundisi I feel kuti EMA is not enforcing malaws ayo. Yes, they have got good
laws but ukasangana nema buses mazhinji haana mabins to collect rubbish, only
macross border buses chete ndiwo ane mabins mamwe ese haana.
“EMA should also take dzidziso yavo kuma primary schools yotangira ikoko upwards.
This will help kuti zvinhu zvifambe zvakanaka, because mwana akadzidziswa ari mudiki
anoramba akabatirira padzidziso yake kusvika akura,” he said.
EMA is already teaching young children by conducting competitions at primary level,
partnering with Eversharp in different schools on taking care of the environment and
awarding prizes.
Participants also advised Chinhoyi council to practise what they preach on keeping the
environment clean.
“If you tell us zvemarara and we see Council premises dirty we will not take them
seriously. Ngavatange nekugadzira their premises, because it is not healthy. It should
start from the top.”
Communities were encouraged to obtain licences, especially on anything to do with the
environment so that they will not get into trouble for operating without a licence, or
destroying the environment.