Home Community Harare residence warned against urban farming on wetlands.

Harare residence warned against urban farming on wetlands.

by Kudakwashe Vhenge

By Lerato Ndlovu

The Harare City Council (HCC) has cautioned residents against cultivating on wetlands and close to water bodies.


The local authority in a statement, said those who disregard the warning will have their crops destroyed without any compensation.


They reiterated the importance of wetlands in preserving natural ecosystems and noted the damage that has been done to Lake Chivero, Seke and Harawa dams through stream bank cultivation and damage to wetlands. 


The statement by HCC read: “The City of Harare would like to advise residents and all those practising agriculture on wetlands and stream banks to desist from doing so with immediate effect. Failure to take heed of this instruction will result in your crops being slashed without any further notice or compensation.


“The role of wetlands and public streams in the sustenance of human life cannot be overemphasised. Wetlands receive, transport, clean, store and deliver water to a wide range of users. There is increased siltation of our rivers or raw water sources, in particular, Lake Chivero, Seke and Harawa dams, reducing their capacity.


“Some residents are using fertilizers which hinder the treatment processes, making water production more expensive. Be guided accordingly”.


This warning comes after the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) rejected 15 wetland projects around the country following a series of ticketing to the authorities and environmental protection orders including court cases.


In a statement,  EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange discouraged the public from engaging on farming on wetlands or along stream banks given that the rainy season is fast approaching.


“Most of these rejected projects are in Harare and include Blacks Housing Trust in Greencroft, Charly Car Wash in the Grange area, Craftlight Truck Inn in Msasa, subdivision of Subdivision C of Greengrove, subdivision of remainder of municipal plot in Belvedere, subdivision of remainder of Strathaven Township station, Takaitanga Housing Co-operative in Budiriro, Totonga in Budiriro, Motherland Housing in Budiriro, Vee Housing in Budiriro and Vivo Energy Churchill Service Station in Alexandra Park, just to mention a few,” Sidange said. 


“Also, the agency has issued several tickets and environmental protection orders, including opening court cases for local authorities and individuals to prohibit wetland degradation,” she said. 


“The agency carries out ecological assessments for free. However, the agency does not allocate land, but only ensures that any proposed development is ecologically sound, socially acceptable and environmental safe,” .

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