The Southern Mountains Association for Rural Transformation and Development (SMARTD) commemorated World Wetlands Day recently at Ha Tlhaku, Quthing, with a focus on the vital importance of wetlands and their sustainable use.
Fako Fako, SMARTD’s programme manager, addressed the local residents of Ha Tlhaku, emphasising the critical role of wetlands in the planet’s ecosystem, including their contributions to water quality improvement, natural resource provision, climate change mitigation, and the preservation of biodiversity.
Fako also outlined SMARTD’s ongoing initiative to educate and train the community on wetland conservation practices.
Lesotho has made significant strides in the protection and restoration of its wetlands, particularly through initiatives like the ReNOKA program, which promotes sustainable water use and environmental conservation.
Community-driven projects such as the Semonkong Wetlands Restoration have been successful in engaging local populations in educational efforts and wetland preservation activities.
Sempe Nkoebe, chairman of SMARTD, called on the Ha Tlhaku community to prioritise the protection of their local wetlands and stressed their crucial role in sustaining life.
“To punish any living thing, all you need is to starve them of water, wetlands included,” Nkoebe remarked.
He further stressed the importance of safeguarding ecosystems to ensure a better quality of life for current and future generations. Nkoebe also encouraged neighbouring communities to join the cause and make wetlands protection a collective effort.
In 2015, Ha Tlhaku partnered with the Serumula Development Association to bolster their wetlands conservation efforts. Their commitment has garnered national recognition, with Ha Tlhaku recently receiving the Flagship Project award, outshining contenders from South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
Bonang Mosiuoa from the Serumula Development Association praised the community for its unwavering dedication to wetlands preservation and setting an exemplary standard for others to follow.
Numerous successful restoration projects have made a tangible impact on wetlands conservation in Lesotho, such as the Mafika Lisiu Wetlands Restoration.
Collaboration between the Lesotho government, NGOs, and local communities has led to improved biodiversity, better water quality, and enhanced climate resilience.
Moselantja Rahlao, a representative from the Regeneration of Landscape and Livelihoods (ROLL) initiative, reiterated the importance of wetlands conservation in Ha Tlhaku.
Rahlao highlighted the many benefits wetlands provide to everyday life and underscored the need for their protection, especially given Lesotho’s role as one of the largest water sources in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Safeguarding these wetlands will ensure a sustainable water supply and long-term environmental health for Ha Tlhaku, she said.
Initiatives like the ReNOKA program have been instrumental in raising awareness of wetlands’ significance.
On World Wetlands Day 2024, the program organised events in Korokoro and Tšenekeng, further educating local communities on wetlands’ role in water conservation and environmental stewardship.
Additionally, the Semonkong Wetland Restoration and Conservation Project has hosted workshops and community gatherings focused on wetland rehabilitation.
“Wetlands act as natural water reservoirs. They store water during rainy seasons, helping manage floods, and gradually release it during dry spells, ensuring that rivers don’t run dry,” said Ramatsoku Rampai, a representative from ReNOKA.
Rampai highlighted the importance of wetlands in water conservation. He also pointed out the valuable plant species like Qabo and Khoari found in the wetlands of Ha Tlhaku.
He then congratulated SMARTD for their efforts in preserving these vital ecosystems, ensuring the wetlands continue to thrive.
