Resource-based Conflict at the Local Level in a Changing National Environment: The Case of Zimbabwe's Mafungautsi State Forest

摘要: IntroductionThis contribution examines resource-based conflict at a microlevel in the context of influence broader socio-economic and political developments national level Zimbabwe. It focuses specifically on case Mafungautsi State Forest, located Midlands province's Gokwe South district. The forest's decline began during colonial period due to local dissatisfaction with way it was administered without input from people. Colonial top-down management style by Forestry Commission (FC), government agency mandated oversee state forests country enforce Act 1948, yielded no direct benefits communities.1 FC criminalised hunting harvesting products such as broom thatch grass, honey wild fruits forest.2 accelerated an unprecedented rate its invasion villagers spurred land invasions 2000. rendered incapable executing role rampant statesanctioned lawlessness gripped country.3This paper historical grievances communities relation their removal ancestral inability access forest for day use. also traces impact living margins, who had long time awaited opportunity return old home, well outcomes invasion.Context: Forests Forest Uses Developing Countries provide wide range social economic many countries.4 These include provision food, fuel wood, medicines, employment processing trade products, tourism (as game, major tourist attraction nature's wonders are usually housed forested landscapes). A great deal literature shows that increasingly play important development, humanitarian affairs, politics.5 Studies have shown sub-Saharan Africa AIDS pandemic has wrecked havoc by, among other factors, reducing agricultural workforce countries consequently affecting regional food supply general household security particular.6 There is growing body demonstrating these impacts can be mitigated against adaptation implementation sustainable policies. thus contribute nutrition health.7 always played supplying wood energy most Africa's rural areas raw materials. Furniture-making industries, particular, require this resource urbanisation increases: hence need optimally manage woodlands forests/ preservation gained renewed emphasis world grapples global climate change.9In spite benefits, are, however, associated parts world. Many reasons account conflicts. demonstrated how failure establish laws grant resident margins resources pertain use causes conflict.10 Poor governance, legal institutional arrangements, including lack transparency accountability, corruption population increase, conflict. Resource-based hindered exploitation world."Forests have, places circumstances, been either safety nets, poverty traps or escape routes.12 Forest-rich areas, eastern Democratic Republic Congo, often used bases groups engaged armed struggle.13 As Uniao Nacional Para Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) Angola, sometimes fund war. …