Govt mortgaging the future for short-term gains

REPORTS that government has granted coal mining concessions to two Chinese companies in the Hwange National Park make sad reading and only point to government’s insatiable appetite for short-term gains.

This week, the media reported that Chinese companies Zhongxin Coal Mining Group and Afrochine Smelting had secured grants from the government to begin environmental impact assessments in preparation for coal mining in the country’s largest wildlife sanctuary.

This will include drilling, land clearance, road construction as well as geological surveys in the gigantic park.

The development comes at a time wildlife conservation is already under threat from various coal mining activities on the periphery of the game park that is home to about 10% of Africa’s elephant population.

Several other animals such as rhinos, lions, giraffes, cheetahs, painted dogs, and other endangered species are found in the park, generating millions of dollars for the country through tourism. In fact, the big five is present in the park, attracting thousands of tourists from across the globe every year.

Already, the government is failing to explain the recent death of 22 elephants in the park, meaning getting companies to operate from within will further expose them.

What guarantee do we have that the elephants will not be poached or poisoned to extract tusks given that they are reportedly in high demand in the east Asian country?

Surely, mining activities in the game park will threaten wildlife in many ways including noise and air pollution.

The move will escalate the human-wildlife conflict in the area, forcing animals to move away from their natural habitat. The new mines will shrink the habitat of many rare species and regrettably decimate the tourism industry.

It is so disturbing that the government has seen its move prudent at a time concern over improved sustainable wildlife management is being advocated for. Coal is a non-renewable energy source which will be exhausted soon and sadly, our wildlife will be gone.

It boggles the mind why the government is investing a lot in coal when other countries, China included, are embracing renewable and green sources like solar and wind for generating electricity.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa should think about future generations.

Yes, the economy is in bad shape and desperately needs investment, but mortgaging the future will only make things worse. Zimbabwe still has generations way ahead of it, those children also want to see these animals years after coal energy has been completely phased out.

The sad thing is that those mining deals are not negotiated in good faith and the country will benefit nothing, but lose its heritage. Think twice Mr President.