Michelle Masanga
GWERU: In a bid to save the environment, Midlands Environmental Management Agency (EMA) recently launched a crackdown on land poachers whose illegal actions have affected land around the Gweru aerodrome.
EMA Midlands Provincial spokesperson Oswald Ndlovu said the fight against land degradation should be a collective effort which involves stakeholders and the community at large.
“If we are to save the environment, we should consider a collective effort approach as sand poaching has become a significant environmental concern in the Province.
“The practice involves cutting down trees and abstracting sand from riverbeds which leads not only to land degradation but also affects the ecosystem,” Ndlovu said.
To date, EMA says it has issued 55 tickets to sand poachers in 2024.
The environmental watchdog also says they are ready to prosecute anyone found on the wrong side of environmental laws.
“We have not been folding our arms when it comes to these illegal activities as we have arrested and brought many to book,” further said Ndlovu.
The crack down comes at a time the world is holding belated Desertification and Drought Day under the theme ‘Restore the Land and Unlock the Potential’.
