WETLANDS UNDER SIEGE, SAYS FIRST LADY

The First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa says wetlands are a national economic asset that has the potential to transform livelihoods.

This came out at the national preservation of wetlands project where the First Lady planted a Mukute tree near the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

The continued land degradation is threatening the country’s wetlands, hence the need to preserve them.

The First Lady, who is also the Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Environment and Tourism, said there is need to rescue wetlands which are under siege from cultivation and construction of houses.

The project was pioneered by an environmentalist 63 year old Mr Never Kasasa who applauded the First Lady for responding positively to addressing environment issues.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Cde Oppah Muchinguri revealed that her ministry will distribute over 70 000 seedlings for planting across the country to compliment the command agriculture.

The country has approximately 1 117 wetlands covering about 793 348 hectares.
Sixty percent of these wetlands are in communal and resettlement areas and are mostly under threat from land degradation.

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