The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has officially rejected the proposed Greystone Housing Development project in Borrowdale, Harare, citing ecological concerns linked to wetland encroachment.
According to a public notice issued by EMA, the development commenced without obtaining the necessary environmental licenses and was found to be situated in a designated wetland area. The agency identified clear ecological indicators such as black clay soils, confirming the site’s environmental sensitivity.
In response to the unauthorized development, EMA issued an Environmental Protection Order (EPO), directing the developers to halt operations immediately and initiate an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. Despite the submission of a project prospectus by the developers, the agency rejected the proposal, emphasizing the irreversible ecological and socio-economic impacts of building on a wetland.
“The agency urges planning authorities and developers to exercise due diligence in land allocation to avoid interference with fragile ecosystems,” EMA stated.
The agency also highlighted the importance of Zimbabwe’s wetlands, which have been mapped under the National Wetlands Masterplan (2021). EMA reminded planning authorities to consider these designated areas when approving development projects to prevent further ecological degradation.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, through EMA, has gazetted certain wetland areas as Ecological Sensitive Areas (ESAs) under Section 113 of the Environmental Management Act (CAP 20:27). The protected wetlands cover an estimated area of 258,780.99 hectares, with ongoing efforts to conserve these vital ecosystems.
EMA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding wetlands in alignment with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and Zimbabwe’s national conservation policies.
