OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF MINING ON THE ... - IIED pubs

• Very shallow and gravelly soils in the east; and
• Deep, heavily textured calcareous soils in the west; and
• Widespread, locally developed patches of Jesse Sand, a derivative of the Kalahari Sands(DRSS, 1979).
The area lies within Natural Region V: low and erratic rainfall: below 650mm, and the hinterland lies within
Natural Region IV: fairly low rainfall of 450mm to 650mm per annum and Natural Region III: higher rainfall and
deeper soils (ZSG, 1997; Surveyor General and AGRITEX, 1998).
Land use comprises Mukwichi Communal Land, Vuti resettlement area and Zambezi Parks & Wildlife Land48
(ZSG, 1998). Farming is mainly semi intensive livestock production, fodder crops and some cash crops. The
major settlements are Makuti and Chirundu Villages.
3.32.1.4 Surface water users
There is some consumption of water for agriculture in the Communal Lands, as well as extraction for Makuti
Town. The other major use is tourism on the Zambezi River: boating, fishing and game viewing. The Zambezi
River provides the only dry season source of water for wildlife in the Zambezi Parks & Wildlife Land, which is an
important tourist destination.
3.32.1.5 Water management systems
The area falls under the Manyame Catchment Council of ZINWA.
3.32.1.6 Human impacts on water resources (excluding mining)
The following could be expected to have an impact on water resources:
• Disposal of solid waste, Makuti and Chirundu;
• Disposal of liquid effluent, Makuti and Chirundu;
• Urban run off, Makuti and Chirundu;
• Non-point domestic effluent, rural areas;
• Minor non-point impact from agriculture in Communal lands; and
• Fuel loss and litter on the road from Makuti to Chirundu.
48 Mana Pools National Park and Hurungwe, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas: this is a World Heritage Site
clxxxii