Published by the government of Zimbabwe
17 September 2007
Harare — Zimbabwe is under attack from invasive species and there is need for stakeholders to channel efforts towards eradication of the exotic plants to save biodiversity.
Environment and Tourism Deputy Minister Mr Andrew Langa told a Press conference last Thursday that invasive species pose a major threat to vegetation and biodiversity, which were crucial in mitigating the rate of global warming. Invasive species are exotic plants, which threaten the existence of indigenous and other species by penetrating and replacing vegetation. "Zimbabwe is under attack from a variety of this type of species and I would like to call upon environmental stakeholders, the media included, to focus on awareness raising as well as eradication of these species in order to save biodiversity," he said.
He said it was worrying to note that Victoria Falls, one of the country's prestigious tourist destinations, had been invaded by more than three varieties of the invasive species, major among them being the Lantana camara. An official from Environment Africa, Mr Barnabas Mawire, said controlling Lantana camara was very difficult as the plant was spread through various ways such as its leaves, seeds, stem and the root.
"Birds and wind also accelerate the rate at which it spreads," he said. Mr Mawire said the most effective way to stop spreading of the plant was to uproot the plant and burn it although caution has to be taken when burning. The plant, Mr Mawire said, was also poisonous to cattle. He said there was need for awareness raising on the dangers of the plant, which, however, many people use as a substitute for security fences around their properties. The plant came into the country as a flower and later invaded the ecosystem. Mr Langa said Government would take advantage of the Clean Up Zimbabwe campaign main event which was held in Victoria Falls on Saturday to raise awareness on the species as well as educate people on how to identify and eradicate invasive species.
This year's Clean Up Zimbabwe campaign was held under the international theme, "Our climate, our actions our future" and the local slogan "Save biodiversity, eradicate invasive species". The campaign started in Australia years ago and has spread to more than 100 countries worldwide.
The deputy minister said it was crucial for Zimbabwe to maintain high vegetation cover and avoid practices that expose it to the harsh effects of climate change.
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