A recent Auditor General’s report shows that, the department of water affairs which is a division in the ministry of water affairs has failed to adhere to measures put in place to protect and sustainably manage wetlands.

The Auditor- General, Monica Besetsa in the 2022 report has shown that the department has not done enough to take care of the wetlands and that Lesotho’s wetlands lack protection, monitoring and rehabilitation. She said that all the wetlands that were visited, are now visibly drying out.

Basetsa said there was also no coordination with key stakeholders hence the destruction of wetlands by livestock and trespassers.

She however said that the department held public gatherings and discussions with farmers and herd boys, where it was found that only the farmers’ associations attended public gatherings, but they did not share the knowledge with their herd boys.

The report has therefore recommended that the department of water affairs’ management, should collaborate with other stakeholders for the rehabilitation of wetlands.