HARARE MARKS BELATED WORLD WETLANDS DAY AT CLEVELAND DAM

The Harare Metropolitan Province today marked a belated World Wetlands Day 2026 commemoration at Cleveland Dam, bringing together government officials, environmental agencies and civil society to highlight the urgent need to protect the city’s wetlands.

The event, which coincided with the province’s monthly clean-up programme, was attended by representatives from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), BirdLife Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission, the City of Harare, Zimbabwe Wetlands Trust, Emerald Climate Hub, Friends of the Environment, and other stakeholders.

Notable guests included Mr Cosmas Chiringa, Permanent Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Province, who spoke on behalf of Senator Charles Tawengwa, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution; Mr Leon Mutungamiri, EMA representative; and Mr Chipfunde, among others.

Mr Chiringa warned local authorities and land barons that the Government would not tolerate any further encroachment or development on Harare’s wetlands.

“I urge our local authorities to respect the wetlands that we have. Even in our planning, in our master plan, where we have these wetlands, we must make sure that we do not erect buildings on them,” he said.

Wetlands are God-given. They have a very big responsibility to make sure that the water is clean.”

He cited the recent incident in Epworth, where illegal settlements on wetlands left over 2 000 people affected and nearly 500 houses impacted by flooding and environmental hazards.

“If you build on a wetland, you are actually fighting against nature. What we have witnessed in some other locations is what we are seeing today. In the event of heavy rains, those people will definitely be affected,” he warned.

Mr Chiringa also called on ordinary residents to resist the temptation to build on wetlands and issued a warning to land barons.

“We do not want to see those buildings, those houses, on wetlands at all. This is critical. Land barons must know that the law will take its course.”

The City of Harare has identified over 5 000 illegal houses on public land, many of them on wetlands and has announced plans for demolitions and relocations to protect these vital ecosystems.

Cleveland Dam, the venue for the commemoration, is one of Zimbabwe’s seven Ramsar sites—wetlands of international importance.

The site is home to rare bird species and supports the city’s water supply, making its protection vital for Harare’s future.

“Cleveland Dam is not just a water source; it is a living ecosystem that sustains our city’s health and resilience,” said Mr Leon Mutungamiri, EMA representative. “We must all work together to ensure its survival for generations to come.”

World Wetlands Day is observed globally on February 2, marking the anniversary of the Ramsar Convention.

This year’s theme, “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage,” stresses the deep-rooted connections between wetlands and local communities.

Zimbabwe’s leadership in wetland conservation was recently highlighted when it hosted the Ramsar COP15 in Victoria Falls, adopting new resolutions and assuming the Convention presidency.

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