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The Network for Environmental and Climate Justice (NECJ) welcomes pronouncements and assurances by the Government of Zimbabwe to the effect that all the 92 local authorities in the country will have approved Masterplans by June 2024.
This statement focuses on Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare whose outdated Masterplan- last updated in 1992 – has paved the way for chaotic land allocations (including on wetlands) which often disregard environmental sustainability.
Harare’s outdated master plan makes little reference to wetlands and their invaluable services for the City of Harare. Wetlands degradation has been rampant in Harare and this is coming on the backdrop of erratic water supplies, a situation that could be addressed through preservation and restoration of wetlands which are Harare’s second source of water after run-off.
“It is worth noting that land use planning in Harare has largely failed to integrate the issue of wetland ecosystems and this has come with heavy costs for the city. Harare continues to use outdated colonial legislation on urban planning which was initially meant for a smaller population and this works against proper land use and planning.
“At a time when the city is using an outdated master plan, the demand for land for construction or housing purposes is continuously high in Harare and consequently, these projects are being undertaken at the detriment of wetland ecosystems. The updated master plan for Harare must appreciate the fact that the future sustainability of the capital is dependent on wetlands preservation and environmental sustainability,” NECJ said in a statement.
They added that proper land use planning in Harare should incorporate the need to protect wetlands in line with the vision of sustainable development of the capital.
Harare’s updated master plan must critically examine the state of the city’s wetlands with a view of sustainably managing them.
There is an imperative need to conduct a detailed study of the environment and the state of wetlands to allow for appropriate measures to be taken to protect the environment.
Several wetlands in Harare need restoration after having been damaged while the remaining ones need to be served from invasion/destruction.
The development and implementation of Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs) as stipulated by the Environmental Management Act is also critical for the protection of wetlands.
NECJ said effective town planning should be anchored on environmental sustainability and sustainable growth and development of the capital