BY NYARADZO CHITUNGO
Zimbabwe this Thursday (May 22), joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for Biological Diversity with this year’s theme dubbed “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”.
In a press release, the Director General of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Aaron Chagona said, “the theme is calling upon all of us to re-examine our relationship with nature as we are completely dependent on healthy ecosystems for food, water, fuel, shelter, and energy hence we must protect this biological wealth against degradation.”
He emphasized that Zimbabwe takes pride in its natural heritage which has diverse ecosystems.
“As Zimbabweans, we are proud stewards of a land richly blessed with natural beauty and biodiversity endowments. From the Eastern Highlands to the Lowvelds, Zimbabwe boasts of diversity with and between the varied ecosystems.”
He further stressed that everyone has a role to play in environmental conservation regardless of their profession or position in life.
“Whether you are a child learning about nature in school, a farmer working the land, a miner extracting resources, a business owner, a student, a parent or an elder passing down wisdom, you have to play a role.”
Chagona also emphasised that Zimbabwe’s rich biodiversity is crucial for the country’s well-being and economy but it’s under threat from human activities and climate change, requiring urgent conservation efforts to ensure its sustainability.
“Our biological diversity is surely a unique national treasure.
“It feeds us, clothes us, heals us and drives our economy through tourism and other purposes. “Albeit with the importance, our biodiversity is diminishing due to agricultural expansion, urbanisation, pollution and climate change hence it also needs us now more than ever for sustainability.”
The Director General reiterated that Zimbabwe is a committed party to several key international agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, a multilateral treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the Nagoya Protocol, a supplementary agreement to the Convention that entered into force on October 12 2014, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty for the conservation of wetlands signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
He stressed the significance of these agreements stating that “these are not just signatures on paper; they represent our promise to the world and to future generations that we will protect and sustainably use the natural resources that have been entrusted to us.”
He appealed to the nation to join hands in protecting the nation’s rich biodiversity.
“Be proud, be responsible, and be active in preserving the environment.”
In addition to commemorating the International Day for Biological Diversity, Mr Chagona announced that Zimbabwe is set to host the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Victoria Falls this year from the 23rd to the 31st July 2025.
“This is the first time such a prestigious international environmental conference will be held on our soil, and it is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to shine as a leader in wetland conversation,” he explained.
