HomeOld_PostsProtect environment for sustainable development

Protect environment for sustainable development

Published on

AFRICANS since time immemorial have exhibited a tremendous respect for the environment even employing myths to protect it.
No matter how much they hunted the animals never depleted, things such as totems helped prevent the extinction of species.
It was common to have forests that were kept intact protected by these myths; no one would dare cut trees or hunt in these areas.
Flora never suffered despite people heavily depending on it for things such as medicines and food.
But in recent times there has been rampant destruction of the biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region.
It is also the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems.
Many threats to biodiversity include invasive species, plant succession, deforestation and unsustainable infrastructural development have become very common and these are resulting in the disappearance of genetic species in many places.
Invasive species for instance, are caused by cultural baggage as people take ornamental plants from one place to another.
The clearing of land for agricultural and infrastructural development is being done in a haphazard manner that disregards the habitat of flora and fauna found within a particular area.
For example, there is an increased destruction of wetlands as people embark on infrastructure development projects.
While development is welcome, it is important to ensure that there is systematic land clearance which allows for the continued existence of flora and fauna which is critical to the ecosystem.
Unplanned human activity has become one of the biggest destroyers of the environment.
A recent tour of the Manicaland Province organised by Environmental Management Agency in conjunction with the Biological Diversity Office in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate revealed how bad agricultural activities have silted the Save River.
Fortunately there are areas like Chirinda Forests that has remained pristine as communities have made a conscious decision to preserve it.
But the Save River is a sad case especially the part that has the Birchenough Bridge.
That part of the river is heavily silted as people embark on haphazard agricultural and mining activities.
It is a requirement that any agricultural activities be carried out 30m away from any river but this is not the case along the river banks of Save at Birchenough Bridge.
This has caused heavy silting of the river while the slurry discharged into the river course by various mining companies has not helped matters.
The river is dying. But a light in that pitch-black darkness is the Chirinda Forest. The community has managed to preserve the forest which has various flora and fauna and is home to a lot of birds and the unique Chirinda toad which is an endangered species.
The Forestry Commission and the community have partnered to preserve the forest.
And the forest is benefiting the community as it has become a popular tourist destination. Tourists from as far as Germany visit for bird watching.
German Heike Zangerlein described the Chirinda Forest as an impressive attraction. Biodiversity country coordinator Dr Chipangano Chirara said forests like Chirinda had to be preserved at all costs.
“There is no other similar sizeable forest within Zimbabwe in terms of species composition or structure. The community surrounding this place has helped preserve the forest and possesses a huge wealth of knowledge on medicinal properties for some of the trees found in this place,” Dr Chirara said.
He urged the media to lead in efforts to preserve such places through their reportage.
“If media can write stories on how biodiversity is linked to eco-tourism, socio-cultural issues and medicinal properties it would make people understand its importance.”
Speaking during the tour, EMA’s education and publicity manager Steady Kangata said stakeholders had to partner in increasing awareness of the importance of preserving the various forms of flora and fauna.
“People need to understand that the various forms of flora and fauna are necessary for the balance in the ecosystem. Human activity has unfortunately resulted in the destruction of biodiversity within certain areas as exotic species are brought into the country,” Kangata said.
“These evasive alien species such as lantana Camara and Opundia Fulgida in Gwanda and Beitbridge and Crayfish in Kariba have colonised particular places and have not allowed other genetic species to grow.”
Kangata added that the bigger environmental challenges being experienced required people to adapt to them and benefit from biodiversity in their areas.
“With climate change and global warming currently taking place, there is need for people to practise agro-biodiversity to widen their livelihood options,” he said.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest articles

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

The contentious issue of race

 By Nthungo YaAfrika AS much as Africans would want to have closure to many of...

More like this

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

Discover more from Celebrating Being Zimbabwean

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading