Environmentalists lead conversation on wetlands protection as Zim prepares to host COP15
Story by Theophilus Chuma
ENVIRONMENTAL experts project to go beyond half a million hectares in the preservation and restoration of wetlands, under National Biodiversity Protection Programmes.
Across the world, the preservation of natural ecosystems has topped the agenda at various climate change forums, with leaders agreeing that biodiversity should be at the core of every nation as a key measure to combat the menace.
The next such crucial meeting will be convened in Zimbabwe next year when the country hosts the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15).
Environmental Management Agency, Education and Publicity Manager, Ms Amkela Sidange said, “We are going to showcase the best practices especially now that we are preparing to host COP 15 in 2025 which is stressing the preservation of wetlands. As a country under National Development Strategy One, we are already above the three hundred and ninety thousand hectares of areas that have been put under sustainable management. For us, this is something worth celebrating.”
Authorities will leverage the resolutions of this meeting to build on strides achieved so far.
“As a country, we have made commendable efforts in protecting and restoring our wetlands and thus have contributed to mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Environment and Climate Change Expert, Mr Archieford Chemhere.
The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands set for July 2025 in Victoria Falls will be pivotal in addressing current challenges facing natural ecosystems.
Leaders will make necessary policy shifts to ensure these losses are halted.
