Zimbabwe Government declares war on deforestation, wetland grab

By Dumisani Ndlovu

HARARE – The nation’s vital ecosystems are facing an "existential threat," the government warned this week, issuing a stern and urgent directive to curb rampant deforestation, illegal land settlements, and the escalating occupation of critical wetlands.

Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister, Evelyn Ndlovu, delivered the sharp reprimand during the official opening of the Ministry’s 2025 strategic planning workshop, emphasizing that unchecked environmental degradation poses a severe risk to the country’s ecological stability and its ambitious economic development goals.

The Minister specifically condemned the increased encroachment upon protected lands, driven by illegal settlements and the relentless demand for wood fuel which is fuelling high levels of deforestation. Equally pressing is the situation in major cities, where wetlands—natural filters and flood defenses—are being rapidly converted for the construction of both houses and industrial infrastructure.

“We are severely concerned about the increased occupation of wetlands,” Minister Ndlovu stated. “There is need to ensure that our wetlands are preserved and protected across the country as they are a source of biodiversity conservation, livelihood support, and flood control.”

In response to these pervasive threats, the Ministry has committed to a decisive strategic shift. Ndlovu stressed that regulatory efforts must be intensified, calling for the immediate finalization of outstanding environmental legislation and the rigorous enforcement of existing municipal bylaws designed to protect wetlands.

Furthermore, the Ministry plans to double its efforts in combating pollution through the promotion of sustainable waste management initiatives. A key component of this renewed strategy involves revitalizing public engagement, specifically calling for the revitalization of the Monthly Presidential Clean Up campaigns as a critical tool to heighten awareness about maintaining a clean environment.
This commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience, Ndlovu stressed, is the "cornerstone" of the country's national journey towards achieving an upper-middle-income society status by 2030.

While acknowledging the severity of the current challenges, Minister Ndlovu took time to highlight significant environmental victories achieved under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), positioning these successes as proof of the government's capability when resources and focus align.

Recent environmental and infrastructural strides have marked a turning point for Zimbabwe’s sustainability efforts. Among the key achievements is the notable recovery of wildlife populations, particularly keystone species such as rhinos and elephants, which signal a rejuvenated ecosystem. Harare has also seen significant progress in waste management, thanks to the establishment of the Geo Pomona Waste Management plant, which has revolutionized solid waste handling. Conservation efforts have been bolstered through successful Joint Venture Agreements across major national parks—Matusadonha, Mana Pools, Gonarezhou, and Chizarira—leading to improved infrastructure and enhanced conservation outcomes. Additionally, climate resilience has been strengthened through the deployment of automatic weather stations, which now provide vital forecasting and early warning data to support agriculture and disaster preparedness.

The successful hosting of major international events, such as the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) conference and the RAMSAR COP15, was also viewed as evidence of the country's growing leadership role on the global environmental stage.

Despite the progress, the Minister acknowledged that climate change remains a pervasive threat to the economy and human well-being. Looking ahead, the Ministry’s agenda under NDS2 will heavily prioritize adaptation and mitigation efforts.

This includes supporting climate-smart agriculture, further enhancing early warning systems, and developing climate-resilient infrastructure. Crucially, the strategy will also focus on strengthening a sustainable wildlife economy anchored on strong community engagement, recognizing that local buy-in is essential for long-term conservation success.

In her concluding remarks, Minister Ndlovu delivered a sharp message regarding internal accountability, imploring all players in the sector to "desist from any form of corruption." She emphasized that integrity is necessary to successfully earn stakeholder confidence and attract the vital funding required to deliver on the nation’s ambitious environmental and sustainability programmes.

The message is clear: the time for complacent observance of environmental destruction is over. The government is signaling a pivot toward rigorous enforcement and deep strategic investment to protect the natural assets that underpin the country's future prosperity.