SA Systematic Review of Institutional Arrangements Fostering Inclusive Environmental Governance Systems in Zimbabwe: The Case of Lake Chivero Catchment Area

Abstract

Lake Chivero, a vital water resource for Harare, Zimbabwe, and surrounding communities. It draws its water from three main urban centres, Harare, Chitungwiza and Ruwa. These urban areas are characterised by poor environmental governance, which has led to soil and water pollution, sedimentation, and deforestation. The main objectives of the review centre on the lake’s status, water quality, drivers of contamination, policy contexts, and opportunities for repair to establish habitability through inclusive governance. The review also analyses the frameworks and methodologies employed by the reviewed studies and reports. This systematic review includes 109 peer- reviewed articles, policy-related documents from 2005 to 2025, and community-based reports spanning the past two decades. The review examines how stakeholder engagement, gendersensitive approaches, and indigenous knowledge are integrated into environmental governance through interdisciplinary methods, including socio-hydrology and political ecology. It evaluates studies with empirical data and transparent methods, excluding those lacking an environmental governance context. Findings show declining water levels, increased nutrients, and microbial contamination from urban and agricultural sources, driven by sewage, land-use changes, and climate variability. Institutional fragmentation and limited participation hinder progress. The review advocates for reforms via multi-level governance and stresses the importance of inclusive, adaptive strategies. It underscores the urgency of coordinated efforts to restore Lake Chivero and safeguard its ecosystem services amid climate change and urban growth.