AS the world recently marked World Wetlands Day, attention turned to the state of wetlands and the commitments governments are making to protect these fragile ecosystems that are vital for biodiversity, water security and climate resilience.
For Zimbabwe, the commemorations carried added weight, as the country holds the presidency of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for the 2025–2028 period, a role that places it at the centre of global wetland conservation efforts.
Wetlands, which cover an estimated 1,8 million hectares in Zimbabwe, play a critical role in regulating water flows, recharging groundwater, supporting agriculture and sustaining livelihoods for rural communities.
Yet despite their importance, many of these ecosystems are under severe pressure.
Despite being party to the Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention, which provides the only international mechanism for protecting sites of global importance, Zimbabwe continues to violate regulations on wetlands with enforcement being inconsistent.
Across the country, wetlands continue to be degraded by urban expansion, illegal mining, streambank cultivation and infrastructure development.
In Harare alone, wetlands that once acted as natural water filters have been converted into residential areas, shopping complexes and industrial sites, contributing to water pollution and periodic shortages.
This is despite the existence of the 2022 National Wetlands Policy.
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Environmental experts warn that such practices undermine long-term water security and increase vulnerability to climate-induced droughts and floods.
According to the Global Press Journal, rapid urban development has accounted for the destruction of 50% of wetlands in Harare between 2007 and 2019.
But as Ramsar president, Zimbabwe is expected to champion wetland conservation globally, promote sustainable use and encourage international co-operation.
Analysts say this role offers the country an opportunity to showcase best practices, mobilise resources and strengthen domestic conservation efforts.
Marvelous Khumalo, Zimbabwe Union of Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZURRA) spokesperson, said the Ramsar presidency was a position which came with the burden of championing wetlands conservation not only domestically, but globally as well.
“The country has much to do in terms of providing leadership at an international scale,” he said.
“But as well that leadership cannot only translate to the international scale without sowing tangible results on the ground back home.”
Zimbabwe, he said, had not done enough in terms of protecting its own wetlands and the seven Ramsar sites.
“It’s a pity if we look at the situation obtaining in the country.
“We have Ramsar sites in Harare and the country has not done enough — that is both the government and local authorities and other agencies such as EMA [Environmental Management Authority] and other quasi-governmental organisations given the mandate to preserve and protect these wetlands.”
Khumalo added that Zimbabwe needed to show at domestic level that it really was sticking to the terms and conditions of the Ramsar Convention before it actually could lead the preservation and protection of wetlands at a global stage.
Khumalo said the central government, the City of Harare as a provincial council and other agencies that are working around the protection and preservation of wetlands should harmonise their efforts, adding that the legislative framework should also be synchronised.
“So all these agencies that are working around the preservation and protection of wetlands should come together, harmonise their efforts, harmonise the legislative framework so that work is done and make sure that we preach what we do and do as we preach; and only after that can we be taken seriously as a country-as the Ramsar President,” he said.
Combined Harare Residents Association chairperson Reuben Akili concurred, noting that there was “discord” between local authorities and the national law.
“Even though we have a national policy, there is complete disregard of environmental laws and even the laws that protect wetlands,” Akili said.
“If you go to Monavale right now, it’s under siege from construction. If you go to Lake Chivero right now, there is a coal plant which wants to be put near a Ramsar site.
“Lake Chivero has been heavily polluted by raw sewage coming from Chitungwiza, Harare and even some parts of Epworth.”
He said while the government had secured funds to rehabilitate some of the wetlands, what was important was the domestication of environmental laws under the Ramsar Convention.
“I think what is important is the need to domesticate those laws.
“We know that the Constitution provides that when we are a signatory to international laws, these laws need to be domesticated through Parliament.
“I think this is one of the most important steps which will strengthen wetlands protection.”
Akili accused the City of Harare of disregarding the ecologically sensitive area map which was gazetted by EMA, noting that settlements in Harare were put on wetlands with the blessings of the local authority.
“The planning authority has not internalised and ensured that they are also adhering and recognising the Ramsar sites as provided for in International law.”
Akili called on authorities to come up with plans that ensured ecologically sensitive areas, particularly the Ramsar, were properly managed and prevented from further depletion.
“But again, we realise that we don’t have such. So in a nutshell, as Zimbabwe, we have tried, but I think we can do better, especially considering the amount of wetlands degradation over the past two to three years.
“We can do better. We lack enforcement and institutional coherence.”
The country’s environmental laws needed to be strengthened, he said, adding that the environmental impact assessment process was flawed, thus had to be reviewed.
“So, as we have assumed the presidency, there is then need to introspect and say as a country — after handing over the presidency in three years — what are the leadership efforts we have made to ensure that both locally and across the world we are also setting an example which can inspire others?
“But currently we have seen a regression in terms of wetland protection.”
Environmental activist Jimmy Mahachi said there was lack of political will to decisively deal with those that were damaging the environment for their own selfish gains.
“Currently, we have a lot of work to do on the ground to have tangible protection,” he said.
“We are losing wetlands at a very fast rate. We have a lot of challenges on some Ramsar sites as we speak, especially those based in Harare.
“For example, sand mining on Cleveland Dam, construction on Monavale and pollution on Lake Chivero. These are not good pointers at all.”
Mahachi said some powerful politicians were the chief violators of wetland ecosystems and used their political clout to evade sanction.
Yet in his acceptance speech on the handing over of the Ramsar presidency to Zimbabwe at the Ramsar COP 15 held in Victoria Falls in July 2025, President Emerson Mnangagwa committed to prioritising wetland restoration, mobilising resources and fostering community-based management under the theme Protecting Wetlands
for Our Common Future.
He described the protection of Wetlands as a “sacred duty” for ecological health, biodiversity and climate resilience.
Mnangagwa said under Zimbabwe’s leadership for the next three years, the focus would be on strengthening local, national and international collaboration to protect, restore and wisely use wetlands.
Zimbabwe officially became party to the Ramsar Convention on May 3, 2013 and has since designated seven wetlands of international importance, including Mana Pools, Victoria Falls National Park and the Middle Zambezi floodplains.
Government officials say policy frameworks are in place to safeguard these areas, citing environmental impact assessments, wetland protection regulations and recent clampdowns on illegal activities such as unregulated mining.
However, critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent.
Environmental organisations point to cases where development projects proceed on protected wetlands with minimal consequences, raising questions about political will and accountability.
“Holding the Ramsar Presidency should mean setting a high bar, not just making commitments on paper,” said one conservationist, noting that leadership must be demonstrated through action at home.
Climate change has further intensified the urgency of wetland protection as the country is experiencing more frequent droughts and erratic rainfall, which has made wetlands crucial buffers against climate
shocks.
Scientists warn that continued degradation could worsen food insecurity and strain already limited water resources.
