31st Issue - Dec 2013

Another boost for Harare’s Wetlands
In a bid to conserve and strengthen existing efforts to reduce the degradation and loss of wetlands in Harare, BirdLife Zimbabwe
has received project funding from Aage V. Jense Charity Foundation through BirdLife International in order to conserve the
Marlborough Vlei wetland. This project will be implemented by BirdLife Zimbabwe, the BirdLife Partner in Zimbabwe, using
a model replica of the successful restoration through conservation of the Monavale Vlei wetland.
Marlborough Vlei is located13 km northwest
of the central part of the Harare Central
Business District. Marlborough Vlei is a
seasonally wet grassland area that supports
a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The deep
heavy clay soils on the Vlei hold clean water.
Several small streams from the Gwebi river
branch off into the Vlei hence Marlborough
is an important part of the Gwebi river
system. The Gwebi river is a tributary of Lake
Manyame. Lake Manyame together with
Lake Chivero constitutes an Important Bird
Area (IBA) and Ramsar site. African Blue
Quail, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Striped
Crake and Black Coucal are some of the
important birds that are found at the Vlei.
BirdLife Zimbabwe established a working
group to preserve Marlborough Vlei as a bird
reserve.
In spite of its biodiversity and livelihoods
importance, local residents are concerned
about the welfare of this wetland and
water provision and have agreed to form
a Residents Association. This project will
consolidate the work done to date and build
on the residents’ interest. Marlborough Vlei
is threatened by cultivation, sewer overflow
from the nearby sewer ponds and dumping
of rubbish. Residents of Marlborough and
Harare will benefit a great deal from another
conserved Vlei. Such benefits include a
place within city limits where they can
enjoy recreation in a natural environment.
The Vlei can also be used for education in
wetland ecology, natural history and nature
conservation.
The long-term impact of the project will
be at least two well protected, restored and
managed wetlands in Harare (Marlborough
and Monavale) to ensure additional clean
water to the Harare population. These
two wetlands will safeguard important
biodiversity, serving as centres for education
and awareness raising and providing key
ecosystem functions including water
purification, groundwater recharge, water
flow regulation into streams and rivers.
The project will improve awareness and
appreciation of wetland values among local
communities, policy makers, city planners
and developers across Harare, hence
increasing interest and actions to protect
more wetlands.
By Venancia Wambua
| Information & Conservation
Jimmy Muropa and children from Gateway School in Jimmy Muropa et les enfants de l’Ecole Gateway à Monavale
Monavale Vlei, prior to World Wetlands Day 2013 Vlei avant les célébrations de la journée mondiale de 2013 des
Celebrations © Cosmo zones humides © Cosmo
26 | BirdLife Afrique Africa