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Article Title:
Sources and Causes of Conflict that Exist Between Locals and Regulatory Boards on Bio-Diversity Management: A Case for Bindura Rural/Urban Dwellers and the Forestry Commission
by Rittah Kasowe

Abstract:
The study sought to establish sources and causes of conflict that exist between locals and regulatory boards on bio-diversity management in Bindura rural/urban dwellers and the Forestry Commission. According to Zimbabwean laws, community is the owner of environment hence they have to control it .The society seem to be economically and socially forced by the situation to destroy their environment for example the erratic power cuts in urban set up force urban residence to depend on natural energy that is firewood for their domestic use. The community however continues to compete in the cutting of trees expediting the destruction of the environment. The forestry commission preserves the environment by stipulating measures against the destruction of forests. (Forestry Commission Act). This however is a source of conflict since the community claims it owns the forests and should depend on it whilst the forestry commission?s legislative board guards against the destruction of the environment. The significance of the study was to come up with solutions of reducing deforestation and preserving the environment without causing conflict amongst regulatory boards and the community. The study was a descriptive survey which sought to establish views and perceptions of randomly selected concerned parties in the bio-diversity management and preservation. The main questions raised in this scenario were, was the community aware of their rights pertaining to cutting of trees in the forests? How best could the Forestry Commission Act be incorporated so as to inform the community? How can the conflict that do exist between the Forestry commission and the community be resolved

Keywords: forestry commission, environment, deforestation, Bindura dweller.

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