Climate change has become a punitive and unbending enemy, increasing both drought and extreme temperatures in Hwange District
Communities within this part of the country, the struggle has become pressing, with local advocacy groups raising alarm on the threats to both human and animal livelihoods.
Among them is environmental advocacy group the Green Shango Trust, that is urging swift action from government bodies and civil society organizations (CSOs) alike.
Executive director of Green Shango Environment Trust, Daniel Sithole says Hwange residents are feeling the full impact of climate change’s toll on water and food security.
Livestock losses have increased as prolonged drought strips the land of resources that farmers have depended on for generations.
“In Hwange district, there is no tangible intervention, but immediate strategies to support communities and livestock affected by severe drought and heat entail the provision of emergency water supplies, distribution of drought-resistant fodder, and implementation of water conservation techniques,” Sithole said.
For smallholder farmers in Hwange’s rural areas, these solutions couldn’t come soon enough.
“The situation has become unbearable; we cannot cope with the effects of climate change. There is need for a lasting solution because we are losing our livestock due to the prolonged climate change induced droughts,” said Collins Fichani a farmer.
Sithole said without immediate aid, community welfare, food security, and livelihoods would continue to suffer.
The establishment of drought-resistant fodder, for instance, would ease some of the strain on livestock, which are essential to the rural economy and that water conservation measures could help sustain agriculture, the backbone of life for the families.
The water shortage has intensified so severely that it is driving an unexpected experience: livestock are spilling into Hwange’s urban zones, seeking out food in gardens and lawns.
Residents in the district and surrounding areas have been met by wandering cattle as the animals search for food.
“In Hwange urban, a new problem emerged: cattle grazing gardens and lawns. Cattle owners have resorted to unleashing their cattle to feed in people’s backyards and greenery sustained by sewage water leakages,” said Sithole.
This invasion of livestock into urban areas has spotlighted the harshness of the crisis and highlighted the limited options available to both rural and urban residents as they seek to adapt.
Sithole highlighted that true resilience could only be achieved through sustainable agricultural practices, reforestation, and efficient water management and these strategies, he argued, would build the capacity of Hwange’s communities to withstand the erratic and hostile climate.
“Long-term strategies focus on enhancing resilience through the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, reforestation projects, and the development of sustainable water management systems,” Sithole said.
The practices, Sithole said are not only aimed at food security but also at ecosystem restoration, offering a more wide-ranging approach to combating climate change.
The Trust has initiated multiple projects to this effect and one significant effort has been the introduction of drought-resistant crop varieties and sustainable farming techniques which are designed to help farmers maintain yields even in dry conditions.
Sithole said these adaptations have already begun making a difference, with farmers able to produce more reliable harvests despite the worsening water scarcity.
The Trust is also working to promote local reforestation through tree-planting campaigns that simultaneously provide sustainable feed for livestock and protect soil from erosion.
The efforts are intended to restore local biodiversity, a move Sithole believes will ultimately contribute to a healthier ecosystem.
“Tree-planting campaigns provide sustainable fodder for livestock, improve soil conservation, and boost local biodiversity,” Sithole added.
