Story by Jerold Sasa
The Miombo Woodlands in Ward One of Chikomba District are under threat from charcoal and firewood vendors, thus threatening the area’s biodiversity.
A delegation from the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife which was in Chikomba District for a biodiversity consultative meeting came face to face with massive deforestation of the Miombo Woodlands when they bumped into a charcoal-making kiln behind the venue of the meeting.
Chikomba District Forestry Commissioner, Ms Moreblessing Madzore noted, “This is what is happening here, where people are cutting down these trees to make charcoal and firewood for sale mainly in Harare a practice affecting our forests.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Chikomba District Development Coordinator, Mr Michael Mariga said the practice need to be stopped because it is affecting natural forests and biodiversity.
Villagers who attended the consultative meeting are equally disturbed by the massive deforestation in their area, calling for urgent action.
“We want relevant authorities to act on the practice which has always been affecting our area especially those who are taking the charcoal and firewood to Harare,” a resident said.
Another echoed, “We want the Environmental Management Agency and the Forestry Commission to collaborate because others are hiding behind permits which they are misusing to cut down on trees pretending they want to clear land for farming.”
Government is currently on a nationwide consultative process to revise National Biodiversity Strategies and Action plans.
