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The bio-physical impacts of mopane worm harvesting in Nhwali communal lands of Gwanda District in Zimbabwe

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Zimbabwe Open University, Matebeleland South Regional Campus, Box 346, Gwanda, Zimbabwe
  • 2Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Zimbabwe Open University, Matebeleland South Regional Campus, Box 346, Gwanda, Zimbabwe

Int. Res. J. Earth Sci., Volume 12, Issue (1), Pages 11-16, February,25 (2024)

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to investigate the bio-physical impacts of mopane worm harvesting in Nhwali communal area.A case study research design was adopted for this research because it is appropriate to the problem and the advantages it possess. The population of this study was confined to three hundred and ninety five households in Nhwali, the traditional leadership and staff of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The sample consisted of forty household heads, two EMA officers and five village heads. The study revealed that there was accelerated deforestation mainly caused by the cutting down of trees to access the worms from tall trees and the cutting down of trees to built temporary structures during harvesting. Trees were also being cut down so that they can be used as firewood for cooking and roasting the worms so as to preserve them. The study revealed that mopane worm harvesters were one of the greatest contributors to the incidence of outbreak of veldfires in Nhwali. Fires are mainly used for cooking and drying the worms for preservation Water and land pollution was also established to beone of the major bio-physical impacts of mopane harvesting. According to the local community the quantity of the worm decreases every season due to over harvesting and harvesting the worm whilst it is immature.

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