THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has warned that the Matopo area could soon lose its tourist status symbol if Bulawayo residents continued using it as a waste dump site.
BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
Matopo is one of Zimbabwe’s tourism destinations after Victoria Falls. The area boasts of the Matobo National Park, which was awarded Unesco World Heritage Status in June 2003.
Last Thursday, EMA in conjunction with Bulawayo residents’ associations, Matopo and Umguza Rural District Councils, Bulawayo City Council, the police, farmers, miners and other stakeholders met to remove garbage piled along Old Gwanda Road.
However, lack of resources like trucks to transport the garbage hampered the exercise.
“We are urging residents to be responsible with the environment and avoid dumping waste everywhere,” EMA Bulawayo manager Decent Ndlovu said.
“Matopo is a tourist destination area but residents continue dumping waste there, which is not good at all. People should desist from that because it is not good for us as a country. That is a very sensitive area and people should respect it,” he added. Ndlovu said they will descend hard on the offenders if caught.
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He said more than 20 residents of Entumbane were recently fined between $5 and $20 after they were caught dumping waste at undesignated sites. He warned the would-be offenders to respect the environment, as they would be fined.
Southern Eye witnessed piles and piles of garbage stacked along Old Gwanda Road. The waste comprised of construction rubble, disposable diapers, plastics, steel wires among other dangerous materials.
