The World Environment Day, commemorated every June 5, brings to the fore environmental issues and the socio-ecological relationships at play.
WED was set aside for this purpose starting in 1973 after it was established at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden, in June 1972. The conference is commonly referred to as the Stockholm Conference.
This year’s theme is ‘Forests: Nature at your Service” line with the United Nations General Assembly declaration of 2011 as the International Year of Forests.
Through this declaration, the UN intends to “raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.”
With the theme of forests in mind, I sought to collect images that depict the relationship that humanity and other inhabitants have with forests in rural Zimbabwe.
Although I do not intend to impose a certain mindset, I cautiously warn against being blindfolded into believing that there is rampant and senseless destruction of forests in the country.
In fact, the relationship between humans and forests goes back time immemorial, and sustainability of the forests has been on the minds of the people since then. This is because of the resources they draw from the forests, and the knowledge that the resources are finite.
Wildlife also depends on forests for its survival.
Firewood used to brew the traditional beer. This is one of the oldest income generating activities in rural Zimbabwe.
The forests are sources of fruits (above) in addition to traditional medicines, meat and other natural resources.
The main threat to forests comes in land degradation
Wood for garden fencing
Wood used to construct grain storage facilities
Firewood and ox-drawn scotch cart
Trees are also used to make farm implements such as scotch carts, yokes, and hoe and axe handles
Firewood used for food preparation in the household and other public gatherings, such as funeral, weddings, etc
Firewood for cooking
Wildlife and forests
Wild fruits as another forest resource
Not only is firewood used as fuel to cook food; it is also used to provide lighting as not all families in the rural areas can afford kerosene/paraffin.
1 Comment so far
Leave a comment
Nature at our service indeed!! great collection you shared. Main concern i have is whether the small steps towards sustainable forest management and raising awareness are keeping up with the pace at which forest usage is happening…would be interesting to share community based forest management strategies outside the “usual” commemorations…it would help us appreciate what others are doing at local level to service nature so it serves us better…
Comment by Shey Chikulo June 6, 2011 @ 12:26 pm