Young residents in Harare have petitioned the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, challenging the decision by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to approve a housing project by a Chinese company on a protected wetland.
The development, by Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd, seeks to construct villas and cluster houses at Helensview Wetland.
The youths, operating as Green the Ghetto, say the project threatens Harare’s already fragile water system.
In a statement, they confirmed having approached Government for intervention.
“We submitted our letter to the Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Zimbabwe Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu.
“(We are) respectfully appealing against the decision by the EMA to issue an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate to Zhuomu International (Pvt) Ltd, in respect of the proposed villas and cluster houses developments at the Helensview Wetland.
Independent Review Uncovers Irregularities
The young residents said they had obtained EMA’s assessment documents and commissioned their own independent expert review.
“We obtained EMA’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) material last month, and commissioned Dr. R.N. Cunliffe to undertake an independent ESIA of the proposed development,” they said.
According to the groups, the independent review found serious gaps in the approval process.
“There has been some serious irregularities which we feel that EMA overlooked yet critical to the city’s overall water situation.
“We therefore seek constructive discussions with the Ministry over this issue,” they said.
Water Crisis Fears
The residents warned that building on Helensview Wetland would have dire consequences for Harare, which is already grappling with severe water shortages.
“We are worried that the proposed development will worsen the already fragile water system in Harare, and threaten the livelihoods of many people, including the future generations,” the statement reads.
While acknowledging the need for housing, the youth-led coalition said development should not come at the expense of ecological sustainability.
“We appreciate the pressing need of housing and the efforts of the government in that regard.
“However, pouring concrete on ecologically sensitive areas will only worsen the water crisis that we are already facing,” they said.
“Our stance is therefore, not to deny housing, but to consider the impact of the development on livelihoods and sustainability.”
The Ministry is yet to respond to the petition.
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