DID you know that we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests? Wetlands are
disappearing three times faster than forests, and they are recognised as the most important
threatened ecosystem.
Latest estimates show that 35 percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost since the 1970s,
mainly due to human activities. As we do tree planting and clean-up campaigns we need also to
conserve our wetlands. Environmental Management Agency is celebrating the wetland
commemoration day this week in Insiza district.
1. What are we commemorating on World Wetland Day and when.
The World Wetland Day is commemorated to mark the signing of the treaty on the conservation
of wetlands, which was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar Iran. Thus the World Wetland
Day is commemorated every year on February 2 to raise awareness about wetlands. This day
marks the anniversary of the Convention on wetlands, which was adopted as an international
treaty.
2. How is this day important for Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans?
This day is an opportunity for Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans to reflect on how water and
wetlands are connected in an inseparable co-existence, which is important to human life and the
health of Zimbabweans. It also highlights the detrimental effects of the destruction of wetlands
on the quality of life for humans, flora, fauna and the environment.
3. Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands provide values that no other ecosystem can; these include natural water quality
improvement, flood protection, shoreline erosion control, aesthetic appreciation and natural
products for our use at no cost. They also filter water by breaking down harmful pollutants
including chemicals, separate them from the water and use the chemicals as fertilizer for
vegetation growing on the wetland. They are also natural sewage systems, filtering out waste and
running clean water into the rivers.
4. Why is the destruction of wetland important and detrimental to the environment?
The destruction of wetlands is important and detrimental to the environment as its destruction
increases floods and drought damage, nutrient run-off and water pollution .It has also triggered a
decline in wildlife populations
5. Looking at farmers and wetlands, how are wetlands beneficial to farmers and how can they be
assisted in wetlands conservation?
Wetlands benefit farmers by creating cleaner water through their natural filtration system
The unique relationships between diverse species living in wetlands maximise plant
growth and nutrient production
Ground water supplies are recharged by wetlands
They also help keep water tables and stream base flows at stable levels
Farmers can conserve wetlands through implementing practices like organic agriculture and
planting cover crops .They should also allow wetlands to undergo natural wet and dry cycles and
reducing disturbances of the land.
Protect wetlands for ecological benefit – Ndlovu
THE Second Republic has placed wetlands management at the core of its development agenda
to ensure judicious utilisation of these important ecological assets, a Cabinet
Minister has said.
Commemorating World Wetlands Day, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and
Hospitality Industry Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said wetlands in the country required
protection and restoration for the benefit of present and future generations.
He said studies had shown that 55.6 percent of the country’s wetlands were moderately
degraded, 26.7 percent severely so, and only 17.6 percent were in pristine condition.
As a result, Government had come up with a masterplan to protect and rehabilitate wetlands,
which were an important source of water and bio-diversity.
The Second Republic has placed wetlands management at the core of its development agenda
and put in place governance tools to ensure judicious utilisation of these important ecological
assets, Ndlovu said.
During the development of the wetlands masterplan, it was found that, 17.63 percent of the
wetlands are in a pristine condition, 55.65 percent moderately degraded and 26.72 percent
severely degraded, he added.
Ndlovu said since 2021, a total of 103 wetlands with a total area of 350 550 hectares had been
put under sustainable management across the country, and more such projects were on the
cards.
In September 2021, Government through Treasury disbursed a ZW$30 million grant, which
was fully utilised for the rehabilitation of three wetland rehabilitation projects, namely Marongere
in Masvingo District, Nyamhara in UMP District and Ndabambi in Gweru District, he said.
In addition, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), using its own core resources,
supported some components of the three initial projects as well three new projects, namely
Mpompini, Mazvide and Guga wetlands.
The components include the protection of sensitive wetland portions, water harvesting and
establishment of consolidated gardens among others.
Moreover, a number of reclamation projects are also underway throughout the country under
the auspices of development partners working with Government, he added.
Ndlovu said some communities were already enjoying the fruits of Governments wetland
restoration projects through increased water discharge and associated livelihood options in all
the countrys 10 provinces.
We will leave no one nor any place behind, he said.
