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Victor Maphosa recently in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe
The Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe (FCZ) has raised a red flag over the continued cutting down of indigenous trees by charcoal dealers, with the illegal activity now rampant in Pfungwe under Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) district.
FCZ warned that if not stopped, this would result in deforestation in a short space of time.
Speaking on the sidelines of a fruit tree planting exercise under the Mashonaland East Province’s Nhaka Muchero programme at Chief Chinhanga’s homestead in Mutawatawa yesterday, UMP district forestry extension officer, Ms Wadzanayi Nyakuyedzwa, said the area was losing a lot of vegetation to illegal activities.
“We have a challenge that we face as we manage and preserve our forests. These challenges are emanating from various issues that are ranging from agriculture to mining, depending on the area.
“We have issues of tomato farming and they use tree pegs to support the plants as they grow. These pegs are cut from trees each year which means if we have an acre of tomatoes with almost 300 to 400 plants, a number of trees will be cut and not replaced.
“As we go down to Pfungwe, we also have a challenge of charcoal making. People are trying to make ends meet but destroying indigenous forests to make charcoal is not sustainable. They then sell the charcoal at Mbare for about US$10 per 50kg bag.
Ms Nyakuyedzwa urged communities to take up a programme offered by her organisation where they would be given free gum trees to plant, a move aimed at reforestation.
“As Forestry Commission in this district, we implore farmers and other community members to take up our programme called Tobacco Wood Energy where they will be given free gum trees to plant on a hectare plot.
“This will curb cutting trees for tomato pegs. With TWEP, within five years, we will have gum trees which we can use as firewood and other uses without destroying our indigenous vegetation.
“Those who are cutting down trees for charcoal-making in Pfungwe will be arrested and prosecuted. We urge the community to plant a lot of trees and save the forests,” she said.
Online Reporter