Loquat tree woodland (left) and the brisk business of selling fuel
wood in Ward 11 of Chipinge (right)
TRAVELLING eastwards out of Chipinge town along the Chipinge-Mount Selinda tarmac strip for about 9km is Budzi River which is one of the two watercourses that feeds Bangazaan Dam, Chipinge town’s major water source.
From this point towards Chirinda signs of a settlement become visible. Thatched pole-and-dagga huts as well as those roofed with iron sheets are in view. Ordinary men might be tempted to admire this settlement but authorities feel otherwise.
Located in Ward 11 of Chipinge, the settlement of more than 30 households is not officially recognised. It emerged out of pastures reserved for 15ha plot holders who were allocated land by Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement.
When the Manica Post descended on the areas, it witnessed wanton destruction of trees as villagers are harvesting wood for sale. A female villager who preferred to remain anonymous revealed that most dwellers survive on selling fuel wood.
“We sell wood to survive,” she said. Asked if they are harvesting the trees indiscriminately due to their illegitimate status since they were told to vacate the land by authorities, the lady said that she treats the settlement as her permanent home.
“I came here on permanent basis. We have invested so much on our properties that vacating from here is a painful thing, she added.
Contacted for a comment, the District Forestry Officer, Mr Clasport Karimanzira shown deep concern on “deforestation taking place in Ward 11. Said Mr Karimanzira: “The illegal settlement is a headache for district task force on environment.
He added that the area is a waterway which requires dense forest cover. “The area is made up of uapacca kikiana woodland of wild loquat trees known as mizhanje in vernacular language. The steep gradient of the area if bare causes heavy siltation of Budzi River.
“The water table there has already been affected. Our district taskforce whose members include Environmental Management Authority, Chipinge Rural District Council and Zimbabwe Republic Police always engage the unlawful settlers to find a lasting solution,” concluded Mr Karimanzira.