Rate of Land-use/ Land-cover Changes in Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe: Drivers for Change

Matsa Mark and Muringaniza Kudakwashe . ABSTRACT Shurugwi district lies around the mineral-rich geological formation commonly referred to as the Great Dyke. The formation also has fertile soils ideal for agriculture. The district has been experiencing a lot of land-use and land-cover changes induced both by the people and machinery in recent years following the government’s Fast-Track Land Reform and Resettlement Program and the exploitation of different minerals, including gold and platinum. This study sought to determine the rate of land-cover change that has occurred in Shurugwi district since 1990. This was achieved through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. The study also attempted to establish the factors contributing to land-use and land-cover changes and this was achieved through semi-structured interviews with key respondents. Field observations and measurements were also employed to validate results from remotely sensed data. Results show that the rate of land-cover and land-use change has been significant in Shurugwi district and that the greatest change occurred in 2000-2009. This accelerated change is mainly attributable to cultivation(and related activities) linked to the Fast-Track Land Reform and Resettlement Program, as well as mining and gold panning activities. The study recommends that the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) monitor the cutting down of trees in newly resettled areas through the promotion of tree alternatives for fuel and construction purposes. EMA should also stop panning activities, as well as ensure that all new mines undergo full environmental impact assessments as per EMA statutes in order to reduce land degradation in the district.