MUTARE, Aug.5 (NewsDay Live)-Envionmental pressure groups are piling pressure on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to urgently intervene and stop the destruction of Mutare's scenic Christmas Pass by miners.
The iconic Christmas Pass is one of Zimbabwe's most treasured natural landmarks renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity and strategic ecological importance.
The latest appeal came on Tuesday when the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) submitted a petition to the Office of the President and Cabinet calling for immediate presidential intervention to halt what it says are environmentally destructive mining activities threatening the future of the natural heritage site.
CNRG spokesperson Donald Nyarota said the petition adds to increasing public concern over the continued degradation of Christmas Pass, with residents, civil society organisations and environmental defenders warning that unchecked mining activities could cause irreversible environmental damage to the escarpment.
Situated on the outskirts of Mutare, Christmas Pass is celebrated for its spectacular mountain scenery, unique ecosystem and tourism appeal, making it one of Zimbabwe's best-known natural heritage sites.
"In our petition, we are calling on the government to uphold Section 73 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and places an obligation on the State to protect the environment for present and future generations," said Nyarota.
The organisation also urged authorities to fully enforce environmental laws, investigate the legality of mining operations taking place at Christmas Pass and safeguard both local communities and the country's natural heritage from further destruction.
"Among the immediate measures we are proposing the suspension of all mining activities at Christmas Pass pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the environmental and legal compliance of the operations," said Nyarota.
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The CNRG further called for a comprehensive review of all mining licences, permits and Environmental Impact Assessment approvals issued for activities within the area.
"We are also seeking independent investigations into compliance with directives issued by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), we are arguing that environmental accountability must be strengthened to ensure operators adhere to the country's environmental protection laws," he added.
The CNRG is also calling on government to consider declaring Christmas Pass a protected environmental and heritage site, a move environmentalists believe would preserve its ecological significance while safeguarding its tourism value for future generations.
The submission comes at a time when public debate over balancing mineral exploitation with environmental conservation continues to intensify, with campaigners arguing that economic development should never come at the expense of irreplaceable natural ecosystems.
