The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
THE Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association will work with the Environmental Management Agency to promote good herbal harvesting techniques and establishment of herbal gardens for traditional healers and herbalists.
This compliments efforts being made by EMA to ensure sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection..
Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, the Zinpa president, said increased demand for traditional medicine posed a threat to indigenous trees.
“Indigenous forests have, for long, been the source of traditional herbs. For the herbalists, however, the issues to do with harvesting remain a new phenomenon. This is why it has become essential for us to partner with EMA to ensure good harvesting techniques,” Sekuru Chisanyu said.
Sekuru Chisanyu added: “We have had problems in the past regarding herbalists who administered herbs that were contaminated by chemicals.
“Most of the trees near urban settings might be contaminated by chemicals from the industries and using the roots and barks from the contaminated trees might be lethal.”
Under the partnership, EMA will conduct ground assessments and recommend areas where herbal gardens will be established.
The agency will conduct soil tests that will determine which areas are best suited for particular plants.
EMA spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata said the partnership was in line with the agency’s mandate to promote stakeholder participation.
“As EMA, one of our key focus is on stakeholder participation and in this regard, the partnership with ZINPA will go a long way in the promotion of environmentally-friendly practices,” Mr Kangata said.
Chief Kamba (Mr Donald Kamba) of the Makoni chieftainship called upon EMA and traditional healers to work closely with rural communities.
“These efforts by ZINPA and EMA will go a long in the promotion and preservation of indigenous trees. We are asking for the inclusion of apostolic sects in related trainings since they are directly involved in matters to do with the environment,” Chief Kamba said.
Sekuru Chisanyu said all traditional healers and herbalists must be registered and licensed with the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council (TMPC) so that they can be fully trained to apply good harvesting techniques.
“Out of the thousands of traditional medical practitioners that operate in the country, only 317 are registered with the TMPC. Without proper training, practitioners will encounter the problems that this partnership is trying to fight,” he said.
Sekuru Chisanyu said other countries were adopting good harvesting techniques.
“India has excelled in adopting good harvesting techniques and so if we are to achieve a balanced ecosystem these are the systems that we must adopt.”
