Tourism under serious threat

Tourism here is under serious threat following revelations from World Environment Zimbabwe that the invasion of the Save and Chiredzi River conservancies by Chitsa people has put natural resources in danger.

by Rejoice Ndlovu
The Save River conservancy where the Chitsa people have migrated.
The Save River conservancy where the Chitsa people have migrated.

The illegal dwellers have been accused of cutting down trees for firewood or to make charcoal for sale in urban centres. They have also been responsible for starting fires with a view to clearing areas for settlement and driving animals away. This has put wildlife at risk and WEZ warned that if it is not stopped, it will turn the area into a semi-desert.

The invaders have also been accused of poaching animals for meat, ivory and skins in order to sell the products on the curio market.

“We need a political intervention,” a spokesperson for WEZ said.

He urged Minister Francis Nhema to intervene before it was too late.