Monavale Vlei

Those of you who know me will know I am passionate about conservation and the protection of wetlands in particular. The vlei or wetland in front of where I live in Milton Park is now under threat. Further along it is an official RAMSAR site and there are plans to build high rise flats there (on a RAMSAR site!!)

Please go to AVAAZ and sign the following petition and spread the word.
Thanks

Objections to the proposed construction of 160 cluster house units on Meadows of Monavale Extension, in the Monavale Vleis, Monavale, Harare

Harare`s Wetlands are land areas that are seasonally saturated or flooded with water. In the dry season they may appear devoid of water but actually, the water is not far from the surface. Humans often equate wetlands with wasteland; a place to be drained, filled in, burnt off and re-purposed. In fact, scientific studies show that 64 % of the world’s wetlands have disappeared since 1900. Measured against 1700, an estimated 87 % have been lost.

Wetlands are essential to sustainable development for the human race and we thereby object to any development on Monavale Vlei for the following reasons:

1. The said stand is in wetlands as defined in Section 2 of Environmental Management Act

20:27.

2. Section 113, Subsection 2, of the same act places restrictions of developments on

wetlands.

3. Monavale Vlei is a Ramsar site. The Convention on Wetlands of International

Importance, commonly known as the Ramsar Convention, is a global intergovernmental

treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for

the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

4. Wetlands ensure fresh water for all of us. Less than 3 % of the world’s water is fresh, and

most of that is frozen. Yet every human requires 20-50 litres of water a day for basic

drinking, cooking and cleaning.

5. Wetlands provide our water needs and help replenish the groundwater aquifers that

are the source of fresh water for Harare. Water supply in Harare is already critical,

if Harare`s wetlands are destroyed our water source will be seriously compromised.

6. Wetlands purify and filter harmful waste from water – free of charge. Some of the

pollutants from pesticides, industry and mining, including heavy metals and toxins are

absorbed by wetland sediments, plants and marine life.

7. Wet grasslands act as natural sponges, absorbing rainfall, creating wide surface pools and

reducing floods. This storage capacity also helps safeguard against drought.

8. Wetlands are essential for many endemic amphibians and reptiles, as well as for bird

breeding and migration. The destruction of our wetlands would affect global bird

populations.