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Umfurudzi still under threat
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
May 25, 2005

Around the middle of March this year, we sent out a report about plans for a 40km long powerline to be erected in the Umfurudzi Safari Area to service the Natural Stone Export Company which is quarrying for black granite in this beautiful, pristine wilderness.

After our initial report went out, the plans for the powerline were put on hold and we hoped they would re-route it so as not to destroy the beauty of the Umfurudzi but we heard a few days ago that they have decided to resume their plans.

I took a trip out to the Umfurudzi on Friday 6th May with Iain Jarvis, Executive Director of Wilderness Africa Trust, Grace Kombora, a reporter from the Independent Newspaper and Linette, a camera lady.

We paid entrance fees at the National Parks entrance gate and Linette filmed mine entrance signs, felled trees, damage caused by mining activities etc. Whilst we were filming at the quarry, we were confronted by the mine manager who was extremely aggressive. He told us to leave the mine immediately, took down our vehicle registration number and reported our presence to someone via his radio.

Whilst driving through the game reserve, we saw signs marking mining claims every couple of hundred metres. Once the powerline is functional, all these claims, each of which covers an area of 10 ha, will be occupied by locals and the Umfurudzi Wilderness will be destroyed. Already, extensive damage has been done to the river beds which are dry at the moment. They are full of rocks, loose soil and gaping holes. Over 200 square metres of the Umfurudzi Wilderness has already been destroyed.

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