The 2nd of February each year is World Wetlands Day. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The Ramsar Convention is an inter-governmental treaty to promote national action and international co-operation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Zimbabwe is signatory to this Convention.
This year’s national commemoration will be held at Domborutinira Wetland in the Mutasa District of Manicaland on January 31 under the theme “Wetlands and Agriculture-Partners for Community Empowerment and Growth.”
What are Wetlands?
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. They occur where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the land is covered by water.
The Environmental Management Act (Cap 20; 27) goes further to define wetlands as:
“Areas of marsh, fen, peat-land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including riparian land adjacent to the wetland”.
Local Names of Wetlands
In Zimbabwe wetlands are also known as:
Matoro (Shona);
Mapani (Shona);
Amaxhaphozi (Ndebele).
Zimbabwe is a Signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of 1971 and has domesticated provisions for the protection of wetlands under the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20;27), Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 on Environmental Management (Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection) Regulations and Government Gazette 380 of 2013.
The Ramsar Convention embodies commitments by member states to maintain the ecological character of wetlands and to plan for the “wise use” or sustainable use of all of the wetlands in their territories.
Designated Ramsar Sites in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe seven sites have been designated as Ramsar protected wetlands and these are:
Victoria Falls;
Driefontein Grasslands;
Middle Zambezi/Mana Pools;
Lake Chivero;
Monavale Vlei;
Chinhoyi Caves and
Cleverland Dam.
The Government Gazette 380 of 2013 declares 26 wetlands in Harare as protected areas.
Ecological goods and services of wetlands
Provide important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife;
Ensure food security if sustainably utilised;
Trap moderate amounts of soil running off nearby uplands before they enter lakes and streams;
Maintain and improve water quality by filtering contaminants and excessive nutrients;
Renew groundwater supplies;
Help and control flooding and reduce flood damage;
Fire control;
Provide a source of economically valuable products such as wild rice and commercial fish;
Support recreational activities including fish, hunting, nature appreciation, bird watching and so much more and
Provide opportunities to participate in outdoor educational activities and to enjoy the aesthetic qualities of wetlands.
Drivers of wetland degradation
Agricultural activities can lead to wetlands loss and degradation. This gives rise to the need to sustainably utilise water provided by wetlands without tampering with their natural existence;
Commercial and residential development; road construction; resource extraction; industrial siting processes;
Waste; dredge disposal;
Cultivation of forest trees (silviculture) and
In Zimbabwe, commercial and housing construction projects are the greatest threat to wetlands.
What does the law say?
The Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27) and Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 Environmental Management (EIA and Ecosystems Protection Regulations) govern wetland utilisation in Zimbabwe. Section 113 of the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27) section 113 gives the Minister of Environment powers to
Declare any wetland to be an ecologically sensitive area and may impose limitations on development in or around such an area.
Prohibit the reclamation or drainage, disturbance by drilling or tunnelling in a manner that has or is likely to have an adverse impact on any wetland or adversely affect any animal or plant life therein.
Failure to abide by the law is a crime that attracts a fine not exceeding level eight (US$500) or to imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
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