Chiefs Urged to Help Preserve Environment

Source: The Herald (Harare)

Date: 24 September 2007

Author: Anon

The Environment Management Agency in Mashonaland East Province last Friday met Chiefs Neshangwe and Mutekedza in Chikomba to discuss environmental awareness issues.

The agency sought to conscientise the chiefs on the Environment Management Act.

Emphasis was put on the Traditional Leadership Act, which gives chiefs the power to help in preserving the environment. EMA provincial chief environment officer Mr Robson Mavondo told the chiefs that they have a pivotal role to play in environment conservation since they lived with rural communities.

"Chiefs have a pivotal role to play in implementation of the Environment Management Act since they are the governors of rural communities and know the situation on the ground through liaising with village heads," said Mr Mavondo.

He pointed out that villagers are required to give a 24-hour notice before starting a fire and a final six-hour notice.

"Villagers and farmers should inform the chiefs, EMA officers, Arex staff, the police and traditional leadership about their intention to start a fire. Failure to do so is a crime," he said.

Mr Mavondo challenged the chiefs to enforce the construction of fireguards, pointing out that failure to do so attracted a level 14 fine.

Emphasis was also put on Statutory Instrument 7 of the Act which states that there should be no cultivation within 30 metres of a river bank, with village heads, which are responsible for allocating gardens, expected to play a leading role.

The Forestry Act was also highlighted, with emphasis on the fact that all natural resources belong to the State, making it mandatory to seek permission to clear land and be issued with a licence for moving the timber, while chiefs were encouraged to come up with their own by-laws.