MARANGE The crocodile and hippo population has been negatively affected by the discovery of diamonds in the area three years ago. Most villagers in this drought prone area have abandoned farming, opting for the more lucrative gold and diamond panning. (Pictured: Panning for diamonds has chased crocodiles and hippos away.)With most river banks in the Mukuni, Nyamatsangu and Murozwi areas having been turned into mining compounds, wildlife in the area has been disrupted. The quelea bird, notorious for destroying wheat harvests, has almost disappeared from the area. Watercourses are also changing because of heavy siltation, calling for urgent action from relevant authorities and environmentalists.
The worse affected is the Save River. “We face a gloomy future, particularly when rains begin to fall. Local rivers are changing their course and it is sad that at the present moment no one has power to manage our local natural resources. Everyone has become concerned with the economic hardships we are going through, said Herbert Sibindi of Environment Africa.
Sibindi said his organization would very soon engage the Mutare Rural District Council Environment Conservation Committee over the issue.