by Mutizwa Mukute (This is the second in a series of four articles about water problems in the region)
People in south-east Zimbabwe are taking steps to reverse the siltation of the Save river after watching its decline over the past three decades.
The problem is massive soil erosion of the Save catchment area covering 20 of Zimbabwe’s 55 districts and inhabited by about half a million people. About 70 percent of the area is under cultivation and soil erosion can be as high as 75 tonnes per hectare each year.
“When I was a boy, the Save flowed all year round. Fishing was good. Today it is a sand-choked channel and many fish types have vanished,” said a 45-year-old resident of the area.
Deforestation, inappropriate farming techniques, overstocking and overpopulation have all contributed to environmental degradation. The people are poor and their livelihood is dependent on the natural resources.
”There is nothing like wanton cutting of trees here. We fell them for survival. You people out there have paraffin and electricity which we do not have but you call us names when all we are doing is trying to satisfy basic needs,” another villager in the area said.
Siltation of the river causes many problems. Some parts of the river base have been elevated by silt. This means water can easily spill over the river bank after little rainfall. At the same time, the economic life of irrigation pumps in the Middle Save has been cut from seven to three years because of increased wear caused by the silt.
Construction of the Chitowe dam on the Save has been delayed because experts predict the high siltation levels will mean the dam would quickly fill up with soil. As a result, the expansion of the Chisumbanje irrigation scheme from the present 24 square kilometres to 400 square kilometres has not been possible.
“It has long been realised that the south-eastern Lowveld (of Zimbabwe) has by far the best potential for extensive irrigation development,” says a Zimbabwe Integrated Plan for Rural Development.
The local people have responded positively to the problem of siltation. In 1989, they set up the Save Rehabilitation Action Committee (SARAC).
SARAC “evangelises local communities towards sustainable land management practices” says one of their documents.
This is achieved by establishing grazing schemes in every ward (collection of villages). The schemes should result in a more rational use of graze and less degradation of the environment.
SARAC is encouraging government to resettle people as soon as possible so that pressure on land may be reduced.
At the same time, it is advocating for appropriate farming methods so as to reduce soil Joss that results from poor cultivation practices. Organic farming as opposed to chemical farming has been found ideal to curtail this problem.
Whereas in the past land use plans have not been drawn up and people have settled and exploited the land in a haphazard manner. SARAC is drawing up land use plans which will have an eye to environmental impact.
Environmental awareness campaigns among adults and school children is another vehicle used to resolve the crisis. SARAC also sets out to establish protected areas of traditional and cultural significance as well as game reserves.
Addressing a SARAC Workshop in June this year, Zimbabwe minister of Environment and Tourism, or. Herbert Murerwa, said, 11te initiatives you have taken are unique in the history of environmental management in Zimbabwe. Experience has sho1, 1n that policies which emerge from grassroots are the most successful.”
In some districts work on the ground has already started. In Maungwe they have planted trees on 26 hectares, in Buhera they have fenced off gullies while in Gutu they have established a successful grazing scheme. In many areas people are practising agroforestry – growing trees in their fields that improve the soil quality and protect it from erosion.
SARAC’s initiative has received support from NGOs such as Africa 2,000, Zimbabwe Energy Research Organisation (ZERO) and Christian Care. About Z$400,000 donated by NGOs has already been spent on rehabilitating the Save catchment area.
Government officials are included in the SARAC support unit with representatives coming from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Natural Resources Board, the Agricultural and Extension Department and from the four affected provinces.
The government, with the assistance of the European Community (EC) plans to rehabilitate the Save. Proposed solutions include investing in the area, addressing the land tenure problems, practising proper agricultural methods and gully reclamation. The project is expected to cost $100 million dollars and will be done in three phases. Studies have already been carried out and action will start in 1994.
The problem of overpopulation in the area has been attributed to the land tenure system. Through this system, too many people were settled in areas of poor agricultural potential. By 1969, the area was already “grossly overpopulated” by 40 percent.
Local people know what has to be done to slow soil erosion. They have already taken responsibility for protecting the development potential of their land by pulling together expertise from government, nongovernmental organisations and from the grassroots. With the help of government and NGOs, SARAC may yet succeed in its efforts to save the Save. (SARDC)
