Harare, the capital city, lies at the heart of this challenge. Perched atop a watershed and forming the headwaters of major river systems, Harare’s wetlands are vital ecological assets—natural water sources that purify and regulate the city’s water supply.
Yet, in just the past two decades, over 50% of Harare’s wetlands have been lost, and the remaining ones are under growing threat.
Wetlands in Crisis: The Data Speaks
According to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), 82% of Zimbabwe’s wetlands are moderately to severely degraded, with a mere 18% remaining relatively undisturbed. The situation is dire in Harare, where rapid urban expansion, unregulated construction, pollution, sand mining, and urban farming are leading causes of wetland degradation.
The consequences are immediate and alarming:
– Erratic water supply in Harare, worsened by the loss of wetland ecosystems that serve as natural reservoirs and purification systems;
– A city now requiring US$2 million per month to purify water due to declining water quality;
– And an increasing strain on citizens’ constitutional right to clean and safe water, as guaranteed by Section 77 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution.
From Commitments to Action: Ramsar Presidency a Test for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s new role at the helm of the Ramsar Convention presents a strategic platform to lead by example in wetland conservation, especially at home. The country is already a signatory to the Convention and has an array of domestic legislation in place, including:
– The Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27),
– Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, and
– Government Gazette 380 of 2013, which together provide for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and ecosystem protection.
However, implementation and enforcement remain weak. The Harare Wetlands Trust (HWT) has repeatedly warned that without urgent reforms, the capital’s water crisis will deepen, undermining ambitions for sustainable and climate-resilient urban development.
A Human Rights Approach and Community Stewardship
At COP15, stakeholders agreed that protecting wetlands must be anchored in a human rights-based approach, prioritising access to clean water as a fundamental right. A key takeaway was the emphasis on community stewardship—empowering local communities to be guardians of the wetlands.
“Community stewardship is key in protecting wetlands. In Monavale, our community committee actively engages with authorities to respond to threats,” said Jimmy Muropa, Conservation Officer at Monavale Vlei, one of Zimbabwe’s few internationally recognised Ramsar sites.
Leon Mutungamiri, EMA’s Provincial Manager for Harare, echoed this sentiment: “Communities must take the lead in wetland restoration and conservation. We must especially engage the youth to ensure long-term sustainability.”
Voices from the Field: The Way Forward
Prominent environmental and human rights lawyer Fiona Iliff called for the full domestication of the Ramsar Convention, stressing that stronger EIAs, inclusive stakeholder consultation, and the formal gazetting of wetlands as ecologically sensitive areas are urgent priorities.
“There’s also an opportunity for increased international funding support for wetland restoration, such as under the Freshwater Challenge,” said Iliff.
Julia Pierini, CEO of BirdLife Zimbabwe, affirmed the organisation’s commitment to working alongside the Zimbabwean government to fulfil its new global leadership role.
“COP15 was a turning point. We showcased our work and look forward to supporting national and international efforts to restore and protect wetlands.”
Independent environmental consultant Rob Cunliffe stressed the need for a legacy project that consolidates government, civil society, and international support to deliver measurable results.
“This should go beyond policy rhetoric and actually implement the Ramsar Convention’s recommendations, especially in cities like Harare where wetlands are on the brink of collapse.”
Time to Walk the Talk
As stakeholders rally around post-COP15 momentum, the message is clear: Zimbabwe must now walk the talk.
The Presidency of the Ramsar Convention is more than symbolic—it is a call to action.
Protecting Harare’s wetlands is not merely an environmental concern—it is about securing the health, dignity, and sustainable future of millions of citizens.
With local action, national commitment, and international cooperation, Zimbabwe can lead Africa—and the world—toward a future where wetlands are not sacrificed for short-term gain, but preserved as lifelines for generations to come.
Post published in: Uncategorized