MILLICENT HUNGWE
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is highlighting Zimbabwe’s seven designated Ramsar sites, vital wetlands of international importance.
These sites include the:
Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park which is a remarkable site, featuring Zimbabwe’s largest cave system with cobalt-blue pools and rare flora like the bleed wood tree, this haven is home to bat hawks and grey crowned cranes.
Cleveland Dam, Harare’s largest natural sanctuary, offering a birdwatcher’s paradise with species like the African pygmy goose and wattled crane.
Lake Chivero is a lifeline for Harare, supporting over 400 bird species, including the majestic African fish eagle. The wetland offers water sports and wildlife viewing in a stunning setting.
There is Driefontein Grasslands which are a vital breeding ground for globally threatened wattled cranes and grey crowned cranes, making them key to Zimbabwe’s avian diversity.
Mana Pools National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, teeming with elephants, lions, and hippos. Its lush vegetation and Zambezi pools make it a biodiversity hot spot.
Victoria Falls National Park is home to the iconic ‘Smoke That Thunders’, surrounded by wetlands that nurture unique plant species and provide habitat for elephants and diverse bird life.
Lastly, Monavale Vlei is a rare urban wetland in Harare that filters water naturally while hosting endangered bird species like the blue swallow and marsh owl.
EMA Spokesperson Amkela Sidange said, “The countdown to #COP15 Zimbabwe continues, with the Convention on Wetlands taking place in Victoria Falls from July 23-31.”
