By Christopher Makaza

Government will soon start to resuscitate water bodies like small dams and rivers that are affected by siltation, Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos has said.

Responding to Hurungwe Central House of Assembly member Doubt Ndiweni, who had raised the concern during the launch of Mashonaland West youth in Agriculture chapter asking what was Government's position regarding the matter, Deputy Minister Haritatos said Government had already acquired disiltation equipment from Belarus which will be in the country soon.

"Government is aware of the problem and is doing a lot to address it using the equipment from Belarus,” said Minister Haritatos.

Honourable Ndiweni said majority of small dams in Hurungwe had been heavily affected by siltation a development that was affecting irrigation activities. He said bad farming and mining practices are the major causes of siltation in the area.

"I appeal to Government to urgently address the issue before the situation is off hand. I also urge our people to embark on gully reclamation exercises to curb rampant siltation. There is surely need for gully reclamation to stem a multiplicity of environmental challenges facing not only Hurungwe but the country at large," Ndiweni said.

An official from ZINWA said there was need for the engagement of traditional leaders to raise awareness among communities about the importance of good farming practices, dangers of indiscriminate cutting down of trees as well as the importance of gully reclamation to contain the scourge of siltation.