HARARE, June 3 (NewsDayLive)- A group of legislators, who toured protected wetlands in Chinhoyi and Darwendale in Mashonaland West province, last Friday have called for an all-hands on deck approach to the protection and restoration of natural resources.
Wetlands, which include mangroves, peatlands, and marshes, among other water bodies, play a pivotal role in the water cycle as they recharge underground water, reduce flood risks and serve as habitat for wildlife among other functions.
In Zimbabwe, a mapping exercise conducted in 2021 showed that only 17.63% of the country’s remaining wetlands are in pristine conditions, 55.65% are moderately degraded while 26.72 % have been severely degraded.
Delivering a speech before the tour organised by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife in partnership with DanChurchAid and Conservation Conversations, committee chairperson Sam Matema said while elected leaders play an oversight role, effective wetland protection is an all-encompassing society obligation.
“The approach and attitude of government is that it has to be a whole of government and whole of society approach.
"So we are all called collectively, we have a collective obligation to take care of the environment,” Matema told stakeholders at a Chinhoyi University gathering.
“The reason why we are here is to play our role as Parliament so that we have an appreciation of the state, health, character and nature of our environment since Mashonaland West is home to three of the seven Ramsar (Convention-designated) sites in Zimbabwe.
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