Chirinda Forest: A sleeping tourism destination
PLAYERS in the tourism sector have been urged to market the Chirinda Forest in Chipinge to enhance Manicaland’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Speaking during the International Day of Forests on Monday at Chirinda Forest in Chipinge, Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Edgars Seenza said Government has identified the forest as one of the tourism destinations that have the potential to increase Manicaland’s provincial GDP.
This year’s International Forest Day was held under the theme “Forests and sustainable production and consumption.”
“As part of our efforts to increase our provincial economy this year, we are encouraging the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) team to market places like Chirinda Forest.
“Accessibility to the forest was one of the major challenges and Government has poured in funds to rehabilitate the Chipinge to Mt Selinda Road under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Phase 3. The process is now on the tendering stage.
“The place is little known, yet it is a unique combination of tropical and sub-tropical vegetation species. It is also home to Southern Africa’s biggest tree popularly known as the Red Mahogany which is 64,5 meters tall and is believed to be over 1 000 years old,” said Mr Seenza.
He added: “The forest is strategically located on the gateway to Mozambique and once it is aggressively marketed, the spectacular view of the forest will be able to attract both Mozambican and local tourists,” said Mr Seenza.
Speaking during the event, Chief Mapungwana called on the authorities to ensure that the community also benefits from Chirinda Forest.
“Currently there are no direct benefits of the forest to the community. Part of the revenue being collected by the Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe should be ploughed back to the community since the community is playing a major role in preserving the forest,” said Chief Mapungwana.
A director in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Professor Prosper Matondi said Government will soon implement a policy that will empower communities surrounding gazetted forests to benefit from carbon trading.
Carbon trade is the buying and selling of credits that permit a company or other entity to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
“Government is implementing the rules for a global carbon market which were established at the Glasgow COP26 Climate Change Conference in November 2021,” said Professor Matondi.