Govt launches first forestry policy
ZIMBABWE has launched its first ever National Forest Policy in response to the climate change phenomenon and continued discretion of natural ecosystems by irresponsible people.
The policy comes at a time when the province is facing serious environmental challenges threatening to exterminate some forests, especially in the tobacco growing hubs of Manicaland like Makoni and Mutare districts, which has witnessed the wanton destruction of forests by farmers to cure the golden leaf.To make the situation worse, illegal settlers have moved into grazing land, national parks, plantations, riverbanks and wetlands, while illegal mining activities are exacerbating the environmental damage through land degradation, deforestation and chemical contamination of water sources.
Veld fires continue posing severe threats to the conservation of biodiversity and human life, with newly resettled smallholder farmers perceived as major drivers.
Wanton burning of vegetation means reduction in carbon sequestration from the atmosphere, and the smoke from the infernos produce huge amounts of carbon dioxide, which is the greenhouse gas causing global warming.
Forests burning is a single largest contributor to greenhouse gases in the dry season.
The infernos chew pastures, leaving land without vegetative cover and livestock without pastures, resulting in reduced returns to farmers due to poor beef quality, low milk production and poor market prices for the animals. Regardless of promulgation of several laws aimed at preventing fires, the infernos remain a perennial problem.
Manicaland is home to an assortment of natural rainforests, which must be protected from wanton deforestation for future generations to benefit from.
The province commands massive timber plantations which provide lifeline to the timber industry and employing thousands of people. Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni last week said trees and forests are an integral part of a production system that drives social and economic development.
“Zimbabwe’s first National Forest Policy seeks to promote sustainable management of forests as a national heritage, through the provision of an enabling environment conducive for all the stakeholders involved in the forest resources management. This cogent policy framework allows for effective participation to foster socio-economic development through sustainable management and utilisation of various goods and services that come from trees and forests.
“The objective of the forest policy is to maximise the conversation and sustainable management of forests towards improved environmental protection. There are multiple benefits that locals derive from intensification of forest development in the context of non-timber forest products and reducing carbon emissions. The next decades, will place nature as a defence line against the vagaries of climate change,” said Minister Nyoni.
She added: “The policy development adopted an inclusive approach informed by national stakeholders to design actions that are people centred in forest management. In line with Government’s vision of economic growth and sustainable development enshrined in the National Development Strategies and the 2030 National Vision, the National Forest Policy makes emphasis on promoting conversation and sustainable management of forests in all categories of forest tenure systems to enhance the forest resource base, ensure ecosystem stability and provision of basic environmental services.”