Leribe __ The community councillors and chiefs from the Lowlands and highlands of Leribe made a plea for implementation of new laws in protecting rangelands and wetlands in the country.

This, they pointed out at the stakeholders’ workshop held by Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) together with the Department of Environment under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry at Hlotse in Leribe on Friday. 

The purpose of the workshop was for the stakeholders to give out recommendations on the Protected Areas Expansion plan for the Highlands of Lesotho.

Speaking at the workshop, Chief Makhobalo Teketsi said they still use 1986 laws in dealing with rangelands and wetlands disputes, which are not applicable for today.

He explained that the perpetrators are in some cases charged only M4.00, which is very low.

Chief Makhobalo appealed to the Members of Parliament to improve the laws by increasing the charges.

He indicated that the rangelands are destroyed purposely by the owners of the animals as they know the charges are affordable.

He said the old laws are making it difficult for them to deal with rangelands disputes.

Additionally, he highlighted that they do not even know where exactly the animals should be handed over to after they are caught.

Chief Makhobalo also indicated that the charges are very low thus the perpetrators are not afraid to engage in unlawful activities.

Speaking at the same occasion, community councillor Mr. Napo Nqhae said now that they laid their complaints, the members of parliament need to review laws governing rangelands and wetlands, saying the perpetrators will stop destruction once they are aware of the new laws.

He appealed that as Leribe leaders it would be best they come up with their own plan in making sure that the discussions of today are put into implementation.

Echoing the same sentiments, the representative of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Mrs. 'Mamasheane Motabotabo said the policies for review of rangelands and wetlands laws are there and they need to be approved by the parliament.

He said the changing of governments affects the approval as each takes its time to look into them hence there is delay.

In response to the above issue, the Member of Parliament for 'Malibamats'o constituency Mr. Mokoto Hloaele expressed his gratitude to LHDA, saying the laws are already there but they need to be reviewed.

He said it is true that each government comes in with its new ways of doing things, saying though it is not good when done without valid reasons.

Again, he said even in developed countries such as the United States of America, each government comes in with its own way of doing things.

Moreover, Member of Parliament, Mr. Ramosa Ramaisa said the Natural Resource cluster in parliament is already dealing with the above-mentioned policies, in protecting the environment.

He said LHDA was holding a workshop, where it was sensitizing the cluster on the importance of environment, citing rangelands and wetlands.

However, he mentioned that they have to deal with such issues together with chiefs, community councillors and residents.

He highlighted that they are supposed to disseminate information to the communities to protect wetlands.

LHDA vision is creating sustainable socio-economic beneficiation through the development and management of water resources and electricity generation.