adminLocadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Firewood, timber and charcoal poachers have invaded Gokwe South district targeting former coal mines and the protected Mapfungautsi Forest where they are cutting down trees and stealing coal and loading them in trucks at night for resale in areas as far as Harare.
The charcoal is obtained from the nearby abandoned coalfields at Sengwa Mine and Copper Queen Mine.
The Forestry Commission has confirmed that they have so far arrested 17 charcoal poachers in Gokwe South district in the past two months.
“We have noted with concern the rampant poaching of firewood and charcoal in Gokwe South,” said provincial forestry manager Mr Roderick Nyahwayi.
“So far we have arrested 17 poachers who come with trucks at night. We are working with the local community to police their environment and notify law enforcement agencies. The situation has been worsened by the lack of electricity and other alternative energy sources.”
Mr Nyahwayi said the situation at Mapfungautsi was worrying.
“We are losing out on high values of timber such as teak, mukwa and mahogany inside that forest and that could earn the country a lot of revenue,” he said.
“The area has largely been affected by firewood poachers, as well as illegal settlers.
Deforestation of Mapfungautsi Forest also has a negative effect on the water cycle of major rivers in the country as it eventually feeds into the Zambezi River, hence deforestation will greatly compromise the water catchment facility.”
Online Reporter