ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe has suffered from serious environmental degradation in recent years. Government resettlement programmes have resulted in soil erosion, reduced agricultural yields, over-grazing, and increasing desertification. Between 1990 and 2005, Zimbabwe lost 21% of its forests and has no primary forest remaining. Deforestation rates have increased by 16% since the end of the 1990s and Zimbabwe was one of the top 10 countries for deforestation between 2000 and 2006.

In theory, over 14.5% of the country is under some form of protection, but enforcement has been ineffective. The Timber Producers Federation (TPF) said recently that the industry was under threat from resettled farmers causing fires in forest areas and harvesting timber illegally. Even Forestry Commission plantations have been seriously damaged. The TPF estimated that, in 2005, resettled farmers cost the country over $1.5 trillion through illegal fires and harvesting. This is the estimated mature standing value of the trees. Forests are also being cleared for fuelwood; with inflation soaring and alternative energy too expensive, fines imposed for breaching forestry laws become increasingly meaningless and provide little deterrence.

Much of the illegally harvested timber has been exported to neighbouring countries for below market value. Under the Forestry Act, timber processing companies are only permitted to export processed hardwood, but many have been exporting raw timber to make quick profits. The state of Zimbabwe's economy is no doubt encouraging this.

The Forestry Commission has made attempts to clamp down on illegal exports, working with the police and revenue authorities. Some truckloads of timber have been seized. The authorities have also tried to prevent fuelwood collection by providing guards for forested areas, but this has proved largely ineffective as desperation has forced many to find ways to evade being apprehended.

DOCUMENTS

DATE	TITLE	AUTHOR
01/04/2004	Lessons Learnt on Sustainable Forest Management in Africa: Study on Forest Administration and Related Institutional Arrangements This study is a component of a wider initiative jointly undertaken by the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture ...	Owino, Prof. F (Forest Resources International, Kenya) & Ndinga, Dr A (Dakar Fann, Senegal)
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NEWS

DATE	TITLE	AUTHOR
22/07/2009	Chief Musarurwa castigates deforestation With the world worried about the devastating effects of global warming, Chief Musarurwa of Chivhu Communal ...	ZBC News, Zimbabwe
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06/06/2007	Zimbabwe forests under threat Israel Thebe points in despair to dozens of fresh stumps that have appeared overnight in the heart of ...	Terra Daily
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16/02/2007	Zimbabwe: Forestry Commission Engages Police, Zimra Zimbabwe - The Forestry Commission has engaged the police and the revenue authority to curb the rampant ...	AllAfrica.com
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18/01/2007	Pay back time for uncle Bob Harare, Zimbabwe - The Zanu (PF) government is finalizing a complex deal with the newly sworn-in Democratic ...	The Zimbabwean (Zimbabwe)
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07/07/2006	Zimbabwe: Resettled Farmers Harm Timber Industry Zimbabwe's timber industry is under threat from resettled farmers causing fires in woodlands or ...	AllAfrica.com
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01/03/2006	State Explores Forest Based Land Reform Programme Zimbabwe - Government is exploring a forest-based land reform programme with the view of ensuring the ...	AllAfrica.com
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21/07/2004	Wood Poachers Fuelling Menace of Deforestation Zimbabwe - Satellite images showing expansive green stretches of forest and woodlands from the 90s have ...	The Herald - Zimbabwe
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26/08/2001	Mugabe's loggers to ravage rainforest The army of Zimbabwe's despotic ruler will help to fell trees in 85m acres of Congo. But the people ...	The Observer (UK)
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