BY SILAS NKALA

HWANGE Local Council (HLB) received an Environmental Stewardship Award at the Responsible Business and Corporate Social Responsibility Awards Ceremony for Matabeleland North Province recently held in Victoria Falls .

This was revealed by HLB’s public relations manager Dumisani Nsingo in the council’s latest report.

Nsingo said the award was an incentive for the local authority to manage the environment well.

The awards ceremony took place under the theme: “Celebrating excellence in sustainability – towards achieving Vision 2030. “

“As a council, we already face the challenge of curbing endemic land degradation in one of our regions, due to clay poaching activities.

“We are also working to contain illegal dumping and waste in our area of ​​jurisdiction,” Nsingo said. “However, we have since developed a solid waste management strategy to address the situation. “

The awards were presented to organizations that devote time and resources to environmental management and clean energy, including waste recycling and wildlife conservation efforts. Other winners were Ilala Lodge, Wilderness Safaris, Africa Albida Tourism, Hwange Colliery Company Limited, South Mining Private Limited, Sino Hydro, Bubi Milling Center, Liquorama, Green Shango Environment Trust, Victoria Falls City, Carbon Green Africa-Binga, Pure Africa , Shearwater, Solgas, Dinson Colliery, Zambezi Coal and Gas Mine and Imvelo Safaris.

Other companies and organizations were honored for launching programs on employee engagement, equality in education, universal healthcare, community and culture, women’s empowerment, impact environment and poverty reduction.

These are Casymn Mining, Buy-A-Brick-Foundation, Africa Sun Hotels, Wild Horizons, YAGA Trust, Nssa Matabeleland North, Inductoserve Logistics, Hand in Hand, Painted Dog Conservation and Wild Aid according to the council report.

Owner of Elephant Walk in Victoria Falls, Gail van Jaarsveldt was honored for her philanthropic work helping vulnerable communities.

Nsingo said the awards are aimed at raising awareness of the important role of businesses and organizations in achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.