News / Regional
Matopo could loose its tourist status
14 Sep 2015 at 07:17hrs | Views
BULAWAYO residents are dumping waste at the Matopo area a move which the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) says it could soon see the tourist area lose its tourist status symbol.
Matopo is one of Zimbabwe's tourism destinations after Victoria Falls. The area boasts of the Matobo National Park, which was awarded Unesco World Heritage Status in June 2003.
Last Thursday, EMA in conjunction with Bulawayo residents' associations, Matopo and Umguza Rural District Councils, Bulawayo City Council, the police, farmers, miners and other stakeholders met to remove garbage piled along Old Gwanda Road.
However, lack of resources like trucks to transport the garbage hampered the exercise.
"We are urging residents to be responsible with the environment and avoid dumping waste everywhere," EMA Bulawayo manager Decent Ndlovu said.
"Matopo is a tourist destination area but residents continue dumping waste there, which is not good at all. People should desist from that because it is not good for us as a country. That is a very sensitive area and people should respect it," he added.
Ndlovu said they will descend hard on the offenders if caught.
He said more than 20 residents of Entumbane were recently fined between $5 and $20 after they were caught dumping waste at undesignated sites. He warned the would-be offenders to respect the environment, as they would be fined.
Matopo is one of Zimbabwe's tourism destinations after Victoria Falls. The area boasts of the Matobo National Park, which was awarded Unesco World Heritage Status in June 2003.
Last Thursday, EMA in conjunction with Bulawayo residents' associations, Matopo and Umguza Rural District Councils, Bulawayo City Council, the police, farmers, miners and other stakeholders met to remove garbage piled along Old Gwanda Road.
However, lack of resources like trucks to transport the garbage hampered the exercise.
"We are urging residents to be responsible with the environment and avoid dumping waste everywhere," EMA Bulawayo manager Decent Ndlovu said.
"Matopo is a tourist destination area but residents continue dumping waste there, which is not good at all. People should desist from that because it is not good for us as a country. That is a very sensitive area and people should respect it," he added.
Ndlovu said they will descend hard on the offenders if caught.
He said more than 20 residents of Entumbane were recently fined between $5 and $20 after they were caught dumping waste at undesignated sites. He warned the would-be offenders to respect the environment, as they would be fined.
Source - Southern Eye
