Home News Treasury to rehabilitate wetlands before rain season

Treasury to rehabilitate wetlands before rain season

by Bustop TV News



By Lerato Ndlovu

Government has approved the proposed National Wetlands policy, that will help safeguard, establish and develop recreation and eco-tourism facilities.

At a post-Cabinet media briefing, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the approved policy will guide wetlands management for incorporation in development planning and establish an effective and legal framework for integrated management, and enhance capacity building within relevant institutions involved in the management of wetlands.

“Cabinet considered and approved the proposed National Wetlands Policy and Guidelines, which were presented by Honourable Vice President C.D.G.N. Chiwenga as Chairman of the Enhanced Cabinet Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management.

“The approved Policy will guide wetlands management for incorporation in development planning by Government, the private sector and development partners, Traditional Leaders, communities and individuals, the Policy will facilitate the establishment of an effective and efficient institutional and legal framework for integrated management, and enhance capacity building within relevant institutions involved in the management of wetlands”.

She said the government will designate all wetlands as areas that are unsuitable for settlement, gazette all ecologically sensitive wetlands, undertake orderly relocation of people in order to pave way for the rehabilitation of wetlands, and enforce the requirement for Environmental Management Agency certification for any developments in sensitive wetlands.

“There shall be efficient measures for waste management from point of source, with stiff penalties being imposed for the offence of discharging waste into wetlands,” she said.

“Government shall establish wetland education centres countrywide, set up functional local wetland management institutions, restore the powers of Traditional Leaders in wetland management, and strengthen legislation to protect various habitats found on wetlands.

“Government will also intensify the development of climate change mitigation measures to safeguard wetlands, establish and develop recreation and eco-tourism facilities for sustainable wetland management, and promote efficient techniques and technologies for crop and livestock production on wetlands where these activities are considered appropriate.

“Treasury will avail in tranches the resources required to kick-start the rehabilitation of 20 wetlands, 2 per province, before the onset of the 2021/2022 rainfall season” Mutsvangwa said.

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