DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2017.v05i11.024

Pages: 1719-1732

This paper analyses the legal, economic and social complexities that the community living in Chesa forest has had to contend with since the Independence of Zimbabwe in 1980. The research for the study was qualitative in nature and was done through interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and observations. The paper establishes that there are ambiguities and discord emanating from State institutions about the community living in Chesa forest. The Forestry Commission regards them as illegal squatters, while the District Administrator, the local leadership and the Umguza Rural District Council give this community some form of recognition. These contradictions have led to the lack of provision of basic infrastructure and facilities to the community living in Chesa forest. This leads to environmental degradation, poaching of wildlife and wood. The paper concludes that the conflicting interests of the State have led to an institutional framework which is not clear and this has led to insecure land and forest rights for the community living in Chesa forest. The study recommends policy reform that will recognize the rights of poor forest communities and sustainable forest governance that will ensure the sustainable livelihoods of the affected people.