The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has taken action to stop illegal developments on wetlands by land barons and rogue developers.
In an interview with The Herald, EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange said the agency will not tolerate any illegal activity on wetlands. She said:
“All developments found to be in violation of Section 113 of the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27) are subjected to enforcement action, including stop-work orders, compliance notices, and where necessary, prosecutions.
“In 2025, EMA issued several stop-work orders across the country, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas, as part of intensified compliance inspections.
“In Harare Metropolitan Province alone, 28 orders were issued to stop illegal activities on wetlands, and five dockets were opened for some to appear before the courts.”
Validated wetland maps, now available through EMA offices and on its website, are being used to guide spatial planning, resolve land disputes, and prevent further encroachment.
Regarding “legacy developments” that began before EMA enforcement, Sidange said a case-by-case approach is being applied. She said:
“Some permanent structures exist, and some people hold valid titles. We are conducting inspections and audits to assess ecological impacts.
“Where serious harm is evident, restoration or mitigation measures are enforced through Environmental Management Plans.”
In 2026, EMA plans to rehabilitate 35,000 to 40,000 hectares of degraded wetlands, the first phase of a national goal to restore 250,000 hectares by 2030.
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