adminStephen Ephraem : Chipinge Correspondent
CHIPINGE town’s water supply is under threat following dwindling water levels that its main source, Bangazaan Dam, is experiencing.
Bangazaan Dam, which is on Budzi River and was commissioned in 1986, has a full carrying capacity of 2 825-mega litres. It reached 97 percent capacity by the end of the rainy season in April. Barely five months down the line, the dam is now below 50 percent capacity.
According to Chipinge District Forestry Commission forestry officer, Mr Clasport Karimanzira, siltation is threatening the water body.
Said Mr Karimanzira: “Silt is consuming a huge stake of Bangazaan Dam and when we see the dam level rising, it is not rising to actual water level as silt is fast filling it.”
Mr Karimanzira identified the causes of siltation as illegal settlers, illegal charcoal production and commercial brick moulding along Budzi River in Ward 6 especially at Makotopeya and part of Joppa areas.
The area is made up of miombo woodlands, which are dominated, by Zebrawood (musasa) and African teak (munondo) species.
“The trees are favoured by wood poachers. The area has lost almost 75 percent of natural woodlots in the past 10 years. Its high terrain contributes immensely to soil erosion whenever the soil is left bare.
“Stakeholders have tried to engage the illegal settlers to no avail.
“We now appeal to law enforcement agents and the local leadership to intervene in the removal of the illegal settlers.
“Otherwise Chipinge town will suffer critical water shortages in five years to come,” said Mr Karimanzira.
Chipinge District has a target of planting 130 000 trees this year. The number might not make significant reforestation impact if illegal settlers continue harvesting trees unsustainably.
Online Reporter