BY NALEDI DUBE
Masvingo Province commemorated World Environment Day on 5 June at Mandara Primary School in Bikita under the theme “Climate Action,” with stakeholders calling for collective efforts to safeguard the environment and build resilient communities.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province, Hon. Ezra Chadzamira, during the joint World Environment Day and National Clean-up Day commemorations, Director of Infrastructure Planning and Environment Management in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Douglas Chimhande, said environmental conservation is critical in achieving sustainable development and the country’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
He said environmental protection remains a shared responsibility requiring active participation from government, communities, development partners and the private sector.
“We are united by a singular, vital purpose to heal our environment, to protect our communities and to secure a sustainable economic future for Masvingo Province, thereby driving our national development towards a knowledge-based, prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030,” he said.
He stressed the need to strengthen environmental governance through the enforcement of environmental laws and policies while intensifying efforts to curb illegal activities such as stream bank cultivation, deforestation, uncontrolled mining and improper waste disposal.
He noted that communities across the province have embraced conservation agriculture, water harvesting technologies and drought-resistant crop varieties, helping to improve food security while protecting the environment.
“Farmers within the province have adopted conservation agriculture techniques, water harvesting technologies and drought-resistant crop varieties, helping to improve food security while protecting the environment,” he said.
He also commended communities for actively participating in veld fire management, wetland conservation, anti-poaching campaigns and clean-up programmes.
“These initiatives have strengthened local ownership and enhanced community resilience against environmental degradation,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Provincial Manager Milton Muusha said the world continues to face numerous environmental challenges, including poor waste management, deforestation, wetland degradation, siltation of critical water sources, water and air pollution, and climate change.
“It is important for people to come together, assess their environments, identify problems, and plan and take action to address such problems,” said Muusha.
He said communities are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change.
“The seasons have changed and can confuse farmers. We are experiencing more frequent droughts and floods, while rainy seasons are becoming shorter,” he said.
The commemorations brought together government departments, schools, community members and development partners who participated in clean-up and tree-planting activities aimed at promoting environmental stewardship and climate resilience.