The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ENVIRONMENT, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister, Barbara Rwodzi has bemoaned the rampant destruction of two of Manicaland’s once picturesque rainforests, Chirinda and Vumba for agricultural purposes.
Speaking during the Environmental Management Act (EMA) Amendment Draft Bill (Chapter 20:27) consultations held at a local hotel today, Deputy Minister Rwodzi said Manicaland is the only province in Zimbabwe that has some remnants of pristine ecosystems such as the Chirinda and Vumba Forests that badly need protection.
Deputy Minister Rwodzi said: “Manicaland is a unique province in that it has all the agro-ecologic zones in Zimbabwe. This calls for sustainable management of all the different ecosystems.
“It is the only province in Zimbabwe that has some remnants of pristine ecosystems such as the Chirinda and Vumba forests. For the avoidance of doubt these must and will be protected. These rainforests are home to a diversity of flora and fauna, are ecologically fragile but are under threat from agricultural activities.
“I am reliably informed that people are migrating from drier areas and clearing the forests for agricultural purposes. In order to ensure sustainable utilisation of these forests, the new Environment Management Bill should legislate for sustainable environmental management.”
The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, in partnership with GEF and UNDP, is holding consultations around the country meant to inform the envisaged new EMA Act.
The consultation meeting in Mutare is the third after the first two held in Bulawayo and Masvingo, while the next session is set for Kadoma in Mashonaland West next week.
