On Sunday 22 May 2011, Zimbabwe joins the whole world in commemorating the International Day for Biological Diversity under the theme "Forest Biodiversity". The United Nations General assembly has declared 2011 as the "International Year of Forests".
Ecosystem Services
Speaking at a press conference today, the Zimbabwean Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management Honourable Francis Nhema emphasized the importance of forests to human livelihoods and well-being. Forest biodiversity sustains human well-being through many ecosystem services, such as water purification, provision of oxygen, crop pollination, soil formation and retention, nutrient cycling, regulation of climate, spiritual and cultural benefits and provision of habitats.
In addition, people in developing countries rely on traditional medicines, up to half of which originate from plants found mainly in tropical forests. Forest biodiversity is the basis of more than 5000 commercial indigenous plant species found in Zimbabwe; about 500 of which are known to be of use in traditional medicines.
Livelihoods and Forests
Globally, more than 1.6 billion people rely on forests and non-timber forest products for their livelihoods, and forests are home to an estimated 300 million people. Zimbabwe has gazetted in excess of 800 000 hectares of indigenous forests in the Kalahari eco-region for commercial timber exploitation, wildlife habitats and also to provide a forested watershed for rivers such as Gwayi and the Zambezi.
In this country forests are home to an estimated 150 000 people. However, the forests are fast disappearing because of deforestation, land degradation, tobacco curing, wildfires, illegal logging, mining, population pressure and the large scale conversion of land to agriculture. In Zimbabwe about 330 000 hectares of forests are lost annually to deforestation and other causes.
Zimbabwe's Ministry of the Environment and Natural Management has promulgated the following regulations: the Tobacco Wood Energy Regulations, Plantation Timber Industry Regulations, Firewood Trading Regulations and the Movement of Timber Regulations. Once these are gazetted, they should go a long way in reducing rates of deforestation in the country.
Minister Nhema challenged everyone to go out in full force and plant even more trees to green Zimbabwe. He reported that a target of planting 5 000 000 across the country by the end of the 2010/11 season had been surpassed, with, to date, a total of 5 292 000 trees having been planted. He urged Zimbabweans to care for the planted trees and to use wood energy savers such as tsotso stoves and solar cookers instead of cutting down more trees this winter.
Melody Mundawarara - Melody Mundawarara has always enjoyed creative pursuits. Her interests range from Art to Zoology. She is a keen researcher who is excited ...
