Clean up Zimbabwe is part of the Clean up the World Campaign held worldwide annually and its purpose is to empower communities to clean, fix up and conserve their natural environment. Environment Africa is one of the founding members of Clean up the World Campaign and has co-ordinated cleanups in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia since 1997.
Last Saturday saw a community Clean Up Campaign in Victoria Falls, co-ordinated by Environment Africa and supported by The Victoria Falls Green Fund, The Victoria Falls Residents Association, The Environmental Management Agency, The Hwange District Development Association and the Victoria Falls Municipality.
80 different sites in and around Victoria Falls were earmarked for cleaning and involved a wide section of the community from businesses, hotels and lodges, tour operators, Lions and Rotary clubs. Residents from the various wards liaised with their councillors and were responsible for all clean ups within their wards. Children and youth also joined in the clean up campaign. The Municipality provided transport to take the rubbish away.
The motto was ‘Do this for the environment and the generations that will come after you’.
One of 2010’s main events was held in Zvimba District where communities took part in caring for nature by advocating for the removal and eradication of the invasive species lantana Camara (Cherry Pie / Mugupa / Musoso). This is a plant that propagates quickly and uses up land to the exclusion of other plants – wasting a lot of productive land.
The campaign highlighted that pollution, degradation and littering of our environment is not exclusive to the urban, industrial areas, but that communities in rural areas can also be proactive in taking part in clean up activities.
The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Francis Nhema, applauded the role and contribution played by Environment Africa in addressing environmental issues in urban and rural areas and urged continued partnership EA and his ministry.
Other cleanup activities were conducted in Mutare, Lupane, Harare and Victoria Falls with the participation of key stakeholders in these areas.
Environment Africa will continue to work with local farmers through EAGs on the sustainable utilization of wetlands. We will also continue to initiate and promote tree planting activities and to formulate and implement local environmental action plans – with full participation of the local communities. We continue to actively engage local leaders, who need to be aware of and engaged in addressing environmental challenges.
Post published in: Environment