NEW: EMA blocks Greystone housing development on wetlands

Online Reporter
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has rejected a proposed housing project in Greystone Park, Harare, as the area is a wetland.
In a statement on Tuesday, EMA said the necessary environmental licenses were not obtained before development was initiated.
Notices have since been served to occupants and an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) has been issued to cease all activities.
“The Environmental Management Agency has rejected the implementation of a housing development project in Greystone Park, Harare, because the project is being implemented in a wetland area,” said EMA spokesperson, Ms Amkela Sidange.
“The project is likely to result in irreversible ecological impacts, with a high likelihood of significant socio-economic consequences.”
EMA urged local authorities and developers to exercise caution in land allocation and adhere to the guidelines provided for in the National Wetlands Masterplan (2021), which identifies and maps wetlands across Zimbabwe.
Ms Sidange said at the end of 2024, approximately 258 780 hectares of wetlands had been mapped and protected.