Council warns residents over stream bank cultivation
Staff Writer ~
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Stream bank cultivation remains banned in Harare.
Stream bank cultivation remains banned in Harare.
Council has this year issued an early warning against people who practice stream bank cultivation saying action will be taken against the practice.
The City is empowered by Government statutes under Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:27 as read with Statutory Instrument 7 on Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection Regulation.
The City’s Environmental Management Unit head, Mr Lisben Chipfunde said legislation forbids practising agricultural activities within 30 metres from the highest flood level of any wetland and water body, be it a dam, lake, river, stream or weir.
“What it means is that no agricultural activities are allowed in all streams and their tributaries in Harare or in the Upper Manyame catchment. Residents and ratepayers who are already doing any activities along those rivers should stop failure of which the city will move in and remove their crops,” he said.
“There is increased siltation of our rivers or raw water sources in particular Lake Chivero, Seke and Harawa dams, reducing their capacity. Some ratepayers are using fertilisers which hinder the treatment processes, making water production more expensive.”
He said fertilizers also cause the growth of algae which produces toxins which affect both humans, animals and aquatic life adding that Council will be gradually putting measures to ensure the reduction of the pollution load into our water sources.
The city will be working with the Environmental Management Agency to protect the environment.
