The huge dam, on the now-dry Jacha River, was formed through quarrying in the 1930s. It has long been feared for the numerous deaths through suicide that occur there.
Epworth, a low income sprawling settlement that was once surrounded by rich biodiversity of indigenous woodlands, is now characterised by land degradation, water woes, crime, and poor hygiene and sanitation.
But the dam has always remained full to capacity.In separate interviews, environment and development experts called for proper planning and a holistic approach to boost local livelihoods.
Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association Director, Mutuso Dhliwayo, said Epworth residents should fully utilise the water body. “With proper planning, this water body should benefit the local people,” he said. Zela is a non-governmental organisation advocating for local community rights in natural resource exploitation.
Joseph Tasosa, the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe National Environmental Trust, a non-governmental organisation working with communities in Nyanga district to harness water in the Nyangani Mountain Range, said Epworth residents should engage donors and policy makers to establish micro-irrigation schemes.
“The local people can go far if they venture into horticulture and fishing schemes by engaging policy makers and donors for technical and financial support,” said Tasosa. However, Pastor Elfas Shangwa, the Director of New Hope Zimbabwe, who lived in Epworth for many years, said such schemes need total commitment and good local governance systems. He said some schemes had been tried in the past but did not last.
“Some years ago, some senior politicians, seeking political mileage, imposed projects on the local people and failed,” said Shangwa. He suggested residents should be actively involved in setting up projects around the dam, among them market gardening, aquaculture and eco-tourism.
Experts say environmental legislation and policies should strongly recognise local communities as critical stakeholders in natural resource exploitation, management and utilisation.
Post published in: News