ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
6 JUNE 2025
COMPILED BY KEN WORSLEY
This report covers the period May 2024 to April 2025.
It is my privilege to continue to assist with managing our team of Scouts during the last year.
Thanks must go to the Chairperson, Sue Fenwick, the Trustees, the Committee and the Members, without whose support, both physical and financial, we would not be able to operate and thereby try to maintain the integrity of the Biodiversity of the Vumba Ecosystems.
This year has again seen improvements in our ability to monitor and react to environmental threats. We continue to have our team at 5 men. 4 are still housed at Seldomseen and one at his home nearby.
Further to that we have been donated a 3rd motorcycle and now able to deploy all 5 men at any one time if needed. This continues to reduce the need to use third party transport when reacting or deploying the team.
Due to malfunctioning speedometer cables I regret that we cannot give an exact mileage covered by the bikes this year, however, based on fuel consumption we estimate 28420 km of operational use. Maintenance of the bikes, as they age is constant. Tyres and tubes, broken mirrors, new sprockets and chains, oil changes and so on!! Roughly 85 litres of petrol are used every month.
AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY THE MAJOR THREAT TO THE VUMBA CONTINUES TO BE ILLEGAL WOOD HARVESTING, EITHER AS FIREWOOD OR FOR MAKING CHARCOAL.
THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A MARKED DECREASE IN THIS ACTIVITY NOTED THIS YEAR.
The following to be read with the report made by the Scouts.
Due to a rescheduling of time off rotation we have manged to double the coverage to 4 extended patrols every month, these patrols normally encompass 4 nights camping out in the field. At least 1 of these patrols is dedicated to Green Sanctuary. There is now 1 team of 2 or 3 men always on duty every day of the year. Luckily donations and purchases continue to ensure the Scouts remain dry and clothed. Cash for rations is supplied to the Scouts for these patrols. At least one motorcycle, usually 2, are deployed on these patrols.
Over the last year 40 extended patrols have resulted in the following coverage:
- Green Sanctuary 20 patrols
- Burma Valley 9 patrols
- Lower Vumba 2 patrols
- Kadzura 1 patrol.
- Cloudlands 1 patrol.
- Orkney 1 patrols
- Eastern Ridge 3 patrol.
- Witchwood Farm 2 patrols.
- Upper Vumba 1 patrol.
As mentioned above we note a much reduced incidence in Charcoal operations taking place in the Burma Valley. However we continue to monitor the area! Poaching in the form of trapping and snaring still exists but on a low level. 1 Gin Trap was recovered during the last year. Dog hunting takes place but is incredibly difficult to react to.
Day patrols, carried out on foot, and deployed by motorcycle, continue to cover most areas of the Vumba, Upper and Lower. Quick reaction to reports is very easy now.
Charles, Wellington, Benny and now Kuda have current Class 4 driver’s licenses. All are now capable of operating motorcycles.
Cooperation by other Government organisations and Parastatals has been limited or non-existent. Zimparks Vumba have not been able to help much with the attachment of an armed Ranger to our extended patrols. This is due to the lack of a signed MOU between FOTVT and Zimparks. This has been drafted, and we are awaiting a final copy to sign. There is still a good working relationship with the Zimparks staff at The Botanical Gardens.
Litter clean ups continue to be carried along the main Vumba road from Inn on the Vumba to Leopard rock every 3 or 4 months. Generally just before a major holiday weekend or event such as the Vumba Fair. Mrs Fenwick has been the main transport for this activity since Seldomseen sold their old truck.
The scouts have also been involved with a local schools waste management program but more involvement is planned in the future.
The Scouts have carried out some Public Relations activities in communicating with local leadership, attending field days and public meetings.
At Seldomseen, where we house the Scouts, FOTV have funded the building of a roofed shed to be used as a shelter for the motorcycles.
The Ablution block with a flushing toilet and hot water shower was completed early in the reporting period.
Seldomseen has recently installed a 1000 litre water tank dedicated to the Scouts Camp.
Mains electricity at the Scouts Camp is non-existent due to a transformer malfunction and the Seldomseen Solar installation cannot feed the Camp.
Thank you.
Ken Worsley.