CHAPTER 11 ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS: CO-EXISTING WITH NATURE In addition to constitutional and domestic law protections to the environment, Zimbabwe is a state party to several environmental protection multilateral agreements that govern management and exploitation of natural resources, climate change, and the prevention of environmental pollution. Environmental protection is a goal under the Agenda 2030, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) directly coordinates implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Ramsar Convention, Basel Convention, Stockholm Convention, Rotterdam Convention, Bamako Convention, and some provisions of the Convention on the Biological Diversity (CBD). EMA is a statutory body responsible for ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and of the environment. It was established under the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]. Wetlands tracking where wetlands are being filled in. If so, that information is not publicly available. The ZLHR especially has been active in taking up wetland protection cases to the High Court. The ZLHR has argued that wetlands should be Gazetted as a way to protect them from development. EMA could only issue tickets up to $5 000, yet most of the damage that occurs on wetlands amounts to more than that. Zimbabwe is obligated also obliged to domesticate the Ramsar Convention, as a step in protecting the natural environment. Wetlands account for just less than 5% of Zimbabwe’s land area. Most of the wetlands are covered at least seasonally by marshy lakes and ponds known as vleis. Zimbabwe has nowhere near as much wetland area as some of its neighbours. But Zimbabwe does very little – and sometimes nothing at all – to protect the wetlands it does have. For instance, only 4 of the 11 wetlands in Gokwe North are still functional. The rest have been depleted by streambank cultivation. EMA announced that it had issued out 10 orders against stream bank cultivation to protect the water sources, but residents continued to destroy wetlands. Because the region is dry many people opt to farm where water is easily accessible and available. Several buildings have been proliferating in wetlands. While some construction has been outright illegal, city councils and other responsible government departments have been granting licences and authorisation for construction on wetlands. Building on Zimbabwe’s wetlands is illegal, but that has not stopped the important ecosystems from being developed. Mining and Environmental Protection The environment was under threat from mining activities. These threats were posed both by formal and informal mining operations. It is estimated that 1,5 million people were engaged in artisanal mining activities of which 500,000 were said to be directly employed by the sector. However, only an estimated 25,000 were registered with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. There was an upsurge in illegal mining activities attributed to economic challenges facing the country, including unemployment. With that has come environmental degradation. Panners left behind massive craters filled with stagnant mercurypolluted waters, mounds of sand and fallen trees. Lax enforcement of the law means developers do not face serious repercussions. It is not clear whether the Zimbabwean government is 49 STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ZIMBABWE 2018