He went back home and has been able to sustain his family from the produce of his garden in the dry area of Dzobo in Mutare district. He grew up in the area close to the wetlands but never imagined they would sustain his livelihood one day.
“I grew up in this area seeing these wetlands commonly known as matoro. I am grateful that our elders managed to conserve it for us,” he said.
More than 50 households from Dzobo community have changed their lives for the better through full utilisation of the wetlands to irrigate their vegetable gardens. The local leadership believes the wetlands are sacred and should not be tampered with.
One of the beneficiaries of the Mambo wetlands garden, Emilia Nyanhiwa (51), said as she grew up local elders taught her the importance of preserving wetlands because they used to supply the community with water during dry spells.
“These areas are sacred because that’s where people survived during the dry spell. We need to teach our children the importance of wetlands. As custodians of future generations we should help to conserve them,” she said.
A local youth, John Sithole (26), said the wetland garden had reduced crime in the area as many unemployed youths now spend much of their time working there. In a good month he earns more than $60 from selling vegetables.
The MP for Mutare South, Freddy Kanzama, challenged the government to work closely with the Environmental Management Agency to support the maximum utilization of wetlands in the province as these could go a long way in providing food security.
Impressed by the conservation programme, the Environmental Management Agency recently handed over 83 treated poles, seven rolls of fencing wire, two gates and nails for the upgrading of Mambo gardens.
EMA Acting Provincial Manager, Nunurai Dhlakama, said most wetlands in the country were under threat from human activities such as infrastructure development and changes in land use.
The success story of Dzobo community comes as wetlands are under increasing threat from urbanization and infrastructure development. According to United Nations Report on water management, by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, with two thirds of the world population short of water.
Post published in: Environment
I grew up in this area seeing these wetlands commonly known as matoro. I am grateful that our elders managed to conserve it for us,†he said.
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