Beyond Firewood: The impacts of deforestation in Marange

To most people, am cooking a normal meal in my village, however to me I observed the type of firewood that am using.

We had a family gathering yesterday and this was the firewood we used to cook for over 200 people. It was a daunting task for the women who were collecting the firewood very far and also for us who were cooking.

This type of firewood highlights the problem of firewood not only in Marange villages but also in other villages in Zimbabwe. This shows the level of deforestation in our villages or communal areas. The impacts of deforestation are mostly felt by women and girls who travel long distances to look for firewood losing precious time they could dedicate to income generating projects. It also affects school work for most girls who often go to school tired after going to look for firewood before school starts.

Deforestation is not only a firewood problem but a food security/insecurity problem. Most fruit trees or other trees which support other forests resources like edible worms (mophane worms), bees, wildlife habitat, Livestock feeds and medicines are also destroyed in the process.

The ripple circle of effects of deforestation are quiet disturbing and we need to take an active role in tree planting.

Deforestation— long distances to look for firewood—missing school/late for school—low grades at school/dropping out of school—not competitive on the job market—poverty—early marriages—etc

Deforestation—destruction of wildlife habitat—decrease in wildlife population—decrease in the number of tourists—job losses—decrease in the amount of forex the country needs.

Deforestation—decrease in evapotranspiration—low rainfall—crop failure—food insecurity—malnutrition/sometimes death.