Andrew
Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE risks losing more valuable indigenous trees, amid reports over 262 000 hectares are being lost each year as a result of deforestation.
Population growth, settlements, mining and farming are blamed for the disturbing trend.
Forestry Commission spokesperson Ms Violet Makoto told The Sunday Mail they are worried by the rate of deforestation.
“Currently, 262 000 hectares per annum are being destroyed owing to different factors affecting the country, which involves population growth and the need to expand for settlement.
“There is also the need to expand agriculture and there are other economic activities such as mining that are chewing our forests,” Ms Makoto said.
The commission has since embarked on intensive patrols in communities.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter