President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for a global shift in mindset and policy to protect the world’s wetlands, describing them as vital ecosystems under growing threat. This was said during the opening of the COP15 summit of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls, Mnangagwa said wetlands provide essential services including water purification, flood…
Environmental leaders at the COP15 summit on wetlands have called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent the continued degradation of wetlands, as countries face growing challenges in managing and restoring these critical ecosystems. The Global Wetland Report states that since 1970, wetlands have declined by 0.52% per year, amounting to the loss of over 411…
Land barons have illegally occupied more than 140 sites across Harare, prompting the city to turn to the courts in a bid to stop rampant and unregulated developments, parliament heard on Monday. City officials say the capital is experiencing a surge in illegal construction, including on ecologically sensitive wetlands and along roadways, with legal challenges…
Africa is facing an alarming rate of wetland degradation, with losses that may surpass the global average of 35% since 1970, warns Dr Julie Mulonga, Director of Wetlands International East Africa. She warned of widespread environmental and economic consequences unless urgent action is taken to restore and protect the continent’s rapidly disappearing wetlands. Ahead of…
The ongoing destruction of wetlands worldwide could result in the loss of up to $250 trillion in economic benefits by 2050, according to the 2025 edition of the Global Wetland Outlook (GWO) released on Tuesday. Wetlands, which provide critical ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood protection, carbon storage, and support for agriculture and fisheries,…
Zimbabwean youth are demanding a formal seat at the table as the country prepares to host the Ramsar Convention’s 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) on wetlands later this month. Dozens of young environmentalists, researchers and students gathered in Harare recently for a youth seminar on wetlands, organised by the African Youth Initiative on…
Wildlife authorities in Zimbabwe say they have launched an investigation after the carcass of a male elephant was discovered in Hwange National Park with one tusk missing, raising fresh concerns over ongoing poaching threats in the country’s largest game reserve. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) confirmed the incident in a statement, noting…
Zimbabwe has launched a review of its national elephant conservation strategy amid growing concerns over increased human-elephant conflict, underfunding, and the sustainability of current wildlife management practices. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), supported by the US-based partners Conservation Force and Dallas Safari Club, hosted a workshop recently in Hwange to mark the…
BirdLife Zimbabwe is ramping up efforts to stem the rapid degradation of the country’s vital wetlands, threatened by urban sprawl, unsustainable development, as the nation prepares to host a major global conservation summit. The conservation organisation is leading the push with government, communities, local authorities, and schools to raise awareness and implement practical solutions aimed…
The involvement of local communities in local and international conservation talks is essential, as decisions made at global forums often have a direct impact on the lives of people living near protected areas. This emerged during a high-level stakeholder engagement convened in Harare recently, ahead of the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the…
