Midlands Bureau
The Gokwe north community is intensifying efforts to improve land use management as land degradation continues to wreak havoc in the low lying district.

A recent stakeholder workshop on conservation revealed that Gokwe is losing 15 000 tonnes of soil per hectare due to land degradation.

The World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) has so far injected $750 000 towards the reclamation of Chireya gulley which is threatening the nearby Chireya hospital and schools.

WWF land management specialist Debra Magwada said they had taken a holistic approach towards environmental challenges and were working with various Government departments.

“Our approach to the environmental challenges in Gokwe is not only focusing on gully reclamation, but we are working with the Environmental Management Agency, Forestry Commission, Agritex and the local rural council to tackle and address all land management challenges,” she said.

A total budget of $1,3 million has been availed by the WWF to restore the gulley along Ume River.

The restoration project would also culminate in livelihoods projects for the farmers within the catchment area.

Meanwhile, Community leaders in Gokwe north are optimistic that the reclamation of Chireya gulley in Chireya area will connect the rural area to development

Chireya ward 9 councillor Faith Maronge said the reclamation of Chireya gulley would improve community access to health, education and other essential infrastructure adding that more youth and women should be incorporated in the project so that they appreciate environmental stewardship.

“Currently the environmental committee is made up of village heads and ward leaders. It is important that more youth and women join in for the sake of posterity”.