Green Colonialism in Zimbabwe, 1890-1980 By Vimbai Kwashirai

of them from forest reserves. Indeed, the master-servant relationship between foresters and tenants was characterised by conflict and accommodation and was not always beneficial to conservation work.

Exploitation of teak forest for firewood by African reserve dwellers and for mining and town centres also led to conflict. The situation in Matabeleland was similar to that in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where in many cases wood fuel was the most available and affordable single source of energy but firewood was becoming increasingly scarce.⁷⁴ Munslow, Katerere, and Matose argue that a high demand for firewood in colonial and postcolonial Africa increased the rate of forest exploitation, often resulting in widespread deforestation.⁷⁵ According to Munslow and Matose, more than 100 million people in the Southern African Development Community grouping rely on biomass energy in wood, charcoal, crop, and animal residues.⁷⁶ They argue that rural women bear the brunt of the struggle in firewood gathering, leading to deteriorating standards of living among millions of families.⁷⁷ They suggest alternative forms of energy in stoves, electricity, paraffin, agroforestry, and foreign aid but admit that it is difficult to achieve economic development in harmony with nature.⁷⁸

The Zambezi Teak Woodland

Baikiaea woodland occurs in the present day Umguza, Tsholotsho, Lupane, Hwange, Nkayi, Bubi, and Binga districts in a decreasing order of concentration. Appendices A and B show the location of these districts and gusu in the present day Matabeleland north region. Baikiaeaforests are also found in Zambia's western province; in the Zambezi, Kabombo, Kalomo, and Namwala districts; and southeast Angola, Namibia, and Botswana.⁷⁹ These forests are adapted to arid conditions, favouring warm, humid climates and Kalahari sand soils, the extent of which is shown in appendix C. Baikiaea would regenerate easily if it were not for timber exploitation, fire, and shifting cultivation.⁸⁰ Calvert classifies Baikiaea forests in northwestern Matabeleland into three zones, as depicted in appendix D. The sinanga (a thorny