Remaining Green Amidst Environmental Threats in Matabeleland

Hwange's environmental hazards caused by widespread mining are proving a threat to the region’s green economy. Image by iStock

After years of intact environment and unspoiled natural resources in Matabeleland, the region needs measures to remain green as human induced threats pose serious threats to biodiversity.

BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | FEB 3, 2023

HWANGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — The Matabeleland region is well-known across the world for its natural wonders and tourist hotspots such as Hwange National Park and one of the seven wonders of the world, Victoria Falls.

These natural ecosystems have been commercialized over time, benefitting local communities through development and employment among many other things.

But environmental hazards caused by widespread mining especially in Hwange are proving a threat to the region’s green economy.

Spiwe Banda (37), a Lupote villager in Hwange who spoke to this publication, says coal mining companies were invading their forests.

“Without those forests, wild animals end up encroaching into our villages and causing avoidable damages.”
Spiwe Banda, a villager

Another villager, Sibongile Tshuma (41) says the mining operations were causing untold environmental damage.

“There is a great deal of pollution, including noise pollution from blasting, air pollution from dust, and water pollution from businesses dumping their waste into surrounding bodies of water. Animals are frustrated as plants dry out and aquatic life dies. The entire environment is under siege,” says Tshuma.

John Ngwenya, an environmental activist in Hwange, says any incursion into forests results in a loss of biodiversity and green money.

“Communities have worked hard to safeguard grasslands, woods, and the region's lovely flora and wildlife since it is rich in biodiversity and any incursion poses serious threats,” he says.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) maintains that mining operations in Hwange district, for example, were being done above board.

Mildrert Matunga, EMA Matabeleland North Education and Publicity Officer, says communities were consulted before any mining rights were granted.

“Villagers and other involved communities are all consulted throughout the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). To ensure that the environment is safeguarded, all processes are transparent, and stakeholders are included.”
Mildred Matunga, EMA Matabeleland North Education and Publicity Officer

But villagers such as Courage Mhere, a former game ranger, are not convinced.

“EMA may dispute, but there is no denying that most of these mining operations have conducted themselves irresponsibly by putting local peoples' environmental concerns below their own,” Mhere argues.

Big miners in Hwange have polluted the Deka River, leaving the surrounding land bare and vulnerable to increased erosion and loss of agricultural viability.

Mining activities in Hwange have polluted the Deka River compromising the environmental health.

“The wellbeing and existence of aquatic and animal life are seriously threatened by water pollution. Both the tourism and fishing industries are losing money,” says Arnold Shoko, a local villager in Deka.

Environmentalists say political will is a need to preserve the green economy given that pollution, deforestation, and poaching are all linked to human activities that cause climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Environment and climate change have been highlighted as one of three thematic goals for development cooperation in the Swedish government's aid policy.

According to environmental scientist Chengeto Magama, the aid is crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“This is specifically on the creation and accessibility of sustainable energy, the role that a green economy plays in entrepreneurship and productive employment, as well as the improvement of fundamental health. Given the dangers to our ecosystem, this is extremely important,” says Magama.

Soil erosion and land pollution are two environmental issues affecting land degradation in Zimbabwe, according to Magama.

He says this has a negative impact on agricultural production, especially for those living in poverty.

Deforestation, unchecked veld fires, sand extraction, artisanal mining, and poor land management in general are some of the causes of land degradation.

“This includes improper wetland utilisation, over utilisation of arable and grazing land, agriculture expansion, and human- wildlife conflict. In areas like Hwange, companies are the major culprits. We need political willingness to address environmental threats,” adds Magama.  

Environmental issues and their management have been and are still hot topics.

ALSO READ: Hwange Residents Increasingly Bear Brunt of Climate Change

Existing studies on the environment and development from different stakeholders, such as the Centre for Natural Resources Governance, place a strong emphasis on identifying environmental threats.

In order to manage the environment, the EMA employs a number of different strategies such as the polluter pays principle, the precautionary principle, the prevention principle, the integration principle, and the sustainability principle.

“For instance, if a company pollutes a river that provides drinking, agricultural, or recreational water to a community, that company should either pay for the cost of cleaning up the river or the cost of providing substitute sources of water, such as the drilling of boreholes in the affected community,” says Matunga.

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