Abstract

This article outlines, explains and discusses the stewardship of the bio-physical environment in Zimbabwe with special reference to the policy instruments used at national and localized areas. Issues examined include aspects of the ecological footprint, the national environmental policy and housing with special reference to aspects including burial space, water and sanitation, deforestation challenges, solid waste management, perceptions and attitudes towards climate change, personal and environmental health and town expansion. These are examined at the microcosm space of Ruwa and Epworth, two peri-urban towns, satellite to Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. The bio-physical assets in peri-urban human habitats, like in any other setting are subject to a pressure cook of the forces of conservation and preservation vis-a-vis exploitation and consumption. How the stakeholders interact is a matter of politics. It is a power game. Perhaps it is a fight between rationality and some kind of political irrationalism. This is the thrust of this paper.

Key words: Environment, power, politics, stewardship, conservation, utility, policy.