ZESA, politicians should be held accountable for massive forest destruction
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
MUTARE – Dumisani Jani (42) (not his real name) was retrenched from
employment 10 years ago leaving him with no source of income to look after
his family.
14.06.1009:47am
MISA
But due to continuous power cuts in the city, Jani’s life is back on tracks
as he takes advantage of the continuous long power cuts by illegally cutting
down trees in a nearby forest for resale. On a good month, Jani said he
earns US$450 a month from firewood sales, twice the money earned by a civil
servant.
Owing to persistence long hours of load shedding in many high-density
suburbs of Mutare, destruction of forests for firewood purposes have become
rampant, leaving a little chance for the forest to recover in time.
suburb of Sakubva.
The once green forests of Dangamvura have been reduced to a visible desert
as residents indiscriminately cut down trees as alternative source of
energy.
Forests, mountains and farms close to the city have been the source of
firewood and have unfortunately been left bare, with no chances of recovery
in near future.
Every morning the streets of Mutare are littered with women and children who
have dropped out school and have taken selling firewood as their full time
job.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Police and Forestry Commission
officials have fought running battles with firewood vendors, but it seems
they have ‘relaxed’ after discovering that they were fighting a loosing
battle.
Police officers have been blamed for confisticating firewood for personal
use at their homes instead of enforcing law to stop environmental
degradation.
A local environmentalist said if the load shedding continued at the current
rate Zimbabwe would become a desert, as people were not replanting trees at
the rate they were cutting them.
A visit to mountains in Dora Dombo and Dangamvura proved that environment
was under siege and there was need for responsible authorities to take
action.
She added that the mountains, which used to provide beautiful scenic view
were now bare, an indication that all was not well in the country that used
to generate excess power for export.
Villagers from Dora Dombo said the endless power cuts that have greatly
affected industries in the city were a blessing in disguise as they were
earning a living out of it.
A small bundle of firewood cost around US$1 sometimes they barter trade with
sugar, salt and mealie meal. Villagers said due to scarcity of the United
States dollar they have managed to survive through that.
Resident interviewed said they were aware of the consequences of destroying
the environment such as climate change, but they had no choice against
erratic power supply.
Other residents complained that other sources of energy such as paraffin and
gas were expensive.
Paraffin cost US$1 for a 750 ml bottle. Residents said all the blame should
be shouldered on Zesa because it was charging them tariffs, which were far
beyond their reach, but giving them shoddy service.
Residents said Zesa announcement that they should brace for more power cuts
was likely to trigger further cutting down of trees in the province.
While customers have complained that they were getting electricity for less
than four hours a day, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmittion and Distribution
Company-a subsidiary of Zesa have threatened customers with outstanding
bills to settle their bills or risk disconnection.
The notice reads:
Commentators have said Zesa should come up with lasting solutions to current
power cuts and should know that they would be held accountable for
exacerbating the destruction of the environment through its long and
unscheduled power cuts.