Published by the government of Zimbabwe
6 June 2006
Harare — Zimbabwe yesterday joined the rest of the world in marking the World Environment Day.
The day, which is commemorated on June 5 annually, seeks to empower people to become active agents of sustainable development and to "give a human face to environmental issues". "Zimbabwe, being an active member of the United Nations, takes no exception in joining the rest of the world in observing this very important day which was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 at the Human Environment Conference in Stockholm, Sweden," Environment and Tourism Minister Cde Francis Nhema said.
This year, the day was observed under the theme "Don't Desert Drylands". Drylands are found in all regions and cover more than 40 percent of the earth and were home to nearly two billion people worldwide. Cde Nhema said the degradation of drylands was most acute in Africa, which was the most vulnerable to environmental changes.
"Zimbabwe is no exception to this environmental problem as most of the Western parts of the country are under serious threat from desertification. These parts are home to a significant proportion of the country's popuation. "It is, therefore, essential that we do not neglect them or the fragile habitats on which they depend," he said. Desertification, the minister said, has potentially devastating consequences as it is estimated that the world loses US$42 billion annually in food productivity due to desertification. "On top of this figure is the uncountable cost in human suffering and lives lost due to hunger and the need to abandon once productive land." Cde Nhema said there was mounting evidence that dryland degradation and competition over the increasingly scarce resources could bring communities into conflict.
The minister said the degradation of drylands was a growing problem that called for a multi-sectoral approach since it was both a cause and consequence of poverty. "If left unchecked, it threatens the future food security of humanity's steadily growing population and the stability of communities and countries in al l regions. "Zimbabwe is no exception to this form of insecurity, especially given its agro-based economy," Cde Nhema added. Cde Nhema said Zimbabwe would on June 16 jointly commemorate the International Biodiversity Day, World Environment Day for Combating Desertification at the Mpopini Wetland Rehabilitation and Utilisation in Insiza.
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