By Thomas Ndlovu (32)
A disconnection to the broader web of life is causing an Eco genocide in Zimbabwe. My name is Thomas Ndlovu and I am 25 years old. Each year I see thousands of species are butchered because the community ecological governance systems that once used to manage the collective commons are no longer observed.
This is the case in my community, Village B, located in Filabusi district in Matabeleland South province. Artisanal miners invaded the land and defiled its sacredness through mining. Natural water bodies have silted because of uncontrolled digging along rivers. The miners are also cutting down trees and burning grass, leaving the land naked. Were it not for the intervention of Zimbabwe Project (ZimPro) Trust, we were going to anger the spirit of the land and transform the landscape into a desert.
Before the ZimPro intervention, we had forgotten our ancestral duties. No one was responsible for anything. This opened a window for people from far off places like Nkayi, Tsholotsho, Binga and Masvingo to come to our community and exploit our life support system.
ZimPro reminded us of our ancestral duties of protecting the land. We formed Environment Taskforces starting from village level to provincial level. These taskforces enforce guidelines according to the Environment Management Act (EMA). Whenever we see someone contravening the provisions provided by the Act, we report to the local leadership or the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
In addition to the taskforces, we are working with other villagers to construct gabions, contours and reclaiming gullies. We want to reduce soil erosion from our fields and pastures. We are also planting trees to replace the ones that have been destroyed by artisanal miners.
I am grateful to ZimPro because every member of my community is now aware of the need to protect the land. We have developed by-laws to govern the collective commons and these by-laws have been submitted to Filabusi Rural District Council for recognition in the legal system.
Yorumlar