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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter
THE Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has said stiffer penalties will be put in place to curb illegal poaching of firewood as the practice is causing severe damage to the environment.

To stop the illicit trade in charcoal and fuel wood, the country recently launched a nationwide blitz spearheaded by the Forestry Commission with support from the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Environmental Management Agency, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), the police, local authorities and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Minister Ndlovu said his Ministry will ensure that there is permanent heavy presence of officers beyond the ongoing blitz.

“Over the last three weeks, my Ministry has embarked on a blitz to stop the carnage on our forests and while the programme has been a success, I’m left shocked at the level of deforestation for purposes of illegally selling firewood or producing charcoal. Let’s refrain from this practice, our laws are clear that it is within our right to utilise forest produce for domestic purposes and for any other use, seek authority from Forestry Commission, EMA or the local authority.

“Failure to do so exposes you to the inconvenience some experienced and we will henceforth ensure that there is permanent presence of our officers and we are going a step further to review upwards the penalties in addition to other deterrent measures we will be exploring.

“We all have a responsibility to preserve our forests and our environment for future generations to benefit the same way we have, and with the evident effects of climate change, it’s these small actions that ultimately make a difference. Let’s save our forest; no to trade in firewood,” he said.

Minister Ndlovu added: “Forestry Commission will continue to coordinate this exercise and we appreciate the support we have received from ZRP, community leaders, CSOs, sister institutions and communities at large. I have instructed that this programme be complimented with a robust awareness programme. For a long-time this practice has been allowed to flourish to the extent that some may feel that it’s an acceptable trade. We have to put a stop to this and we are doing it.”

The use of charcoal as an alternative source of energy is on the increase with environmentalists raising concern that the practice,if not contained, will become a major contributor of deforestation in the country .

People generally now prefer to cook using charcoal instead of firewood as it is less costly. Some of the charcoal is imported from Mozambique and Zambia while some of it is produced illegally in the country.

Forestry Commission General Manager, Mr Abedinigo Marufu said four tonnes of freshly cut firewood were required to produce just one tonne of charcoal.

He said the major hotspots for charcoal movement and sale are Hwange, Victoria Falls, Mhondoro, Beatrice and Muzarabani.

Mr Marufu said the country loses about 262 000 hectares of forests annually.-@DubeMatutu