Tanaka Chare
The Environmental Management Agent, Gweru, aims to save the environment by prohibiting sand poachers whose illegal activities are contributing to land degradation.
EMA Midlands Provincial spokesperson Oswald Ndlovu expressed his concern over illegal sand poaching activities.
“Illegal actions that are being done by sand poachers include digging up areas to abstract silver sand, which results in land degradation.“
Ndlovu elaborated on the significance of protecting the environment and that there is a need for collective effort from the environmental authorities and communities in the Midlands province.
“ If we were to save the environment, we should consider a collective effort approach from EMA and communities.”
Tapiwanashe Dube from EMA addressed some of the illegal actions being done by sand poachers.“ Sand poaching is causing a lot of land degradation, particularly on biodiversity, which includes vegetation and soil.”
“The water becomes heavily polluted, vehicles get into the river systems for them to access the soil, and deforestation also takes place.”
Ndlovu further said, “The other thing that we need to do as stakeholders is to come in with law enforcement agencies like ZRP, so that we prosecute those who are behind this illegal sand poaching. We also need to move a step further and ensure that we promote the restoration of these degraded areas. We also encourage construction site operators to obtain necessary permits.”
EMA is working tirelessly to prosecute the culprits who are involved in illegal activities.
“ We are not folding our arms when it comes to these illegal activities. Since last year, we have issued 55 tickets to sand poachers, and we are continuing the exercise.”
This year, the environmental advocates all over the world are under the theme ‘Restore the world and unlock the potential,’ as it is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
