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Muchinguri, (2007), also added that timber exports during the 2006/07 season
declined by 15.2% to US$36 448 329, against a backdrop of mounting challenges in
Table 2.1.1 (a) forestry production output between 2005 and 2008
Type of Number of Production Production Production Production
plant plants 2005 2006 2007 2008
Zaikowski, (2008), cited that, the total global area burned annually between 2005
and 2006 was in the range of three hundred to four hundred million hectares, and
about half of this was in Africa. Southern Africa accounted for about thirty one
percent of the forest loss on the continent. Kadzere M, (2005), also added that due to
the fires, animals and theft, trees of all ages have been destroyed and consequently
log shortages will occur for many years. Added to that the new farmers were
preventing foresters from replanting in the fire damaged areas.
It can be noted from the above argument that the timber producing companies in
Zimbabwe were experiencing a decline in timber output since the year 2005. The
Wattle Company Limited is failing to meet the demands of the customers especially
the South African market which is the major importer of Zimbabwean timber.
Failure to meet demands may result in the company loosing its customers. The
decline is said to result from damages caused by fire, animals and theft.
2.2.1 Fire
Evans, (1992), cited that fire will often be the most important danger facing
plantations. He pointed out that the greatest danger of fire is when the plantation is
young before the canopy have closed and suppressed the ground vegetation, though
in dry conditions with strong winds, mature plantations can also be destroyed.
According to Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), many plantations suffer from fires every
year in the dry season though how much is burnt can vary enormously. Lara, (1993),
pointed out that damage by fire impose a serious threat to plantations. Fire can
originate from natural causes such as lightning but many result of the activities of
man. Lara , (1993), added that, plantation fires can start from fires spreading from
farmland on the perimeter, from activities of hunters or from burning by herdsman
to improve livestock grazing.
Fire danger is most high when the plantation is young and in the dry season as
mentioned by the above authors meaning that the security managers should
implement tight security strategies during this period of time when the risk is very
high. It can also be noted that fire can originate either from natural causes such
lighting or from human activities such as farming, hunting, transportation and
children play. Human causes can either be deliberate or by mistake.
2.2.2 Animals
2.2.2.1 Wild animals.
Evans, (1992), pointed out that, there are three orders of wild animals responsible
for damage; rodents (rats, mice, moles and squirrels); lagomorphs (hares and
Both wild and domestic wild animals have some effects on the timber production.
As mentioned by the authors above they affect both quality and quantity of timber to
be harvested. Baboons tend to be the most dangerous wild animals that affect the
Wattle Company’s timber plantations. Domestic animals like goats, cattle and sheep
eat the tree foliage of young plantations.
2.2.3 Theft.
Evans, (1992), noted that, in areas where there are shortages of firewood for cooking
and heating, stealing from a nearby plantation is almost inevitable. In some cases the
right to collect firewood is granted but often the villagers demand outstrips supply.
Sometimes villagers cut trees for poles used for the construction of houses, kraals
and fencing. Kanyekanye, (2007), stated that, resettled farmers are illegally cutting
down timber from plantations in the process of clearing land for farming.
A plantation need to be protected from the damage caused by animals, thieves and
fire as a result the management should make sure that they have designed effective
plantation security systems are. The more efficient the plantation security system is
the lesser the damages by fire animals and thieves.
2.3.1 Security.
According to O’Brien, (2005), security is a condition that result from the
establishment and maintenance of protective measures that ensure a state of
inviolability from hostile acts or influence. Security measures should be
implemented, monitored and maintained to ensure that there is enough protection of
the plantation from any hostile acts. The hostile acts are the threats mentioned
above.
2.3.2 A system.
O’Brien, (2005), defined a system as a group of interrelated components working
together toward a common goal by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an
O’Brien, (2005), explained that a system has three basic interacting components or
functions which are: inputs – which involve capturing and assembling elements that
enter the system to be processed; processing – which involve transformation
processes that convert input into out put; output – which involve transferring
elements that have been produced by a transformation process to their unlimited
destination.
From the above authors it can be noted that a system consist of components. These
components should be related in one way or another. There should be inputs,
processing and outputs.
On a plantation security system the, devices are the inputs of the system which
include the employees, community, neighboring companies, machinery and
Processing
Inputs Observations- patrol,
lookout towers, cameras,
Employees, binoculars
Community,
Neighboring Communication – two
way radios, siren, bells, Output
companies,
Equipment, phones
Machinery Timber
Protection – firebreaks, production
fencing, fuel breaks,
guards, repellents
2.3.5.1 Inputs.
Employees.
The security department should have enough employees who are well trained and
experienced in the field. These employees may consist of; foresters, fire fighters and
guards. Foresters are responsible for patrolling throughout the plantations during the
day for early detection of danger. Firefighters are those individuals who are trained
to deal with any kind of fire. Young plantations are usually guarded by some
individuals who will be chasing away animals from the plantation.
The community.
The community refers to those people who are close to the plantations or those who
benefit from the plantation resources. Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), argued that, it is a
major step forward if the forestry companies integrate key communities into the
protection management of forests. Key communities are those with access to the
area to hunt and collect forestry produce, or simply because they are close to the
plantations boundaries.
Neighboring companies.
Most fires starts outside concessions and enter as wildfires. It is essential if security
management is to be successful, that neighboring companies cooperate and
coordinate to protect their areas from fire, animals and theft. The companies as
suggested by Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), need to discuss: communications to
coordinate protection operations, early warning and danger issues, plans for
patrolling along the borders of the plantations, approaches to and cooperation with
local communities, training and awareness campaigns; sharing of equipment and
personnel.
2.3.5.2 Processing.
Observations.
The functions of the process as stated by Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), starts by
observations which is meant to detect any threat on plantation security. Rapid
detection and movement of the security teams to the scene will greatly reduce
damage. For large plantations detection is usually by watchers posted at times of
high danger in lookout towers. Where there are no towers observers can be posted at
good vantage points with views over the plantation. From the diagram it can be seen
that observation is done through patrols, lookout towers, surveillance cameras or
binoculars. The community, employees or workers from neighbor companies should
be equipped with the necessary skills and equipment to do some observations in the
plantations.
Communication.
Communication is the second function of the system. Lara, (1993), stated that, if
there is any threat detected, it should be communicated immediately to everyone
involved in the plantation security system. According to Nicolas and Beebe, (1999),
communication can be done through two way radios, sirens, bells or phones. Evans,
(1992), added that, rapid detection is the first step, the alarm must be raised and
information about a threat, its location and possible size, relayed to the security
department. Rapid detection of fire and raising the alarm are first two essentials of
good communication, the third is enabling the firefighting teams to reach the scene
Protection.
The third function is protection. Lara, (1993), argued that, as the managers
anticipate damage from any of the discussed threats at any time, they are then forced
to put some protection measures to reduce the effects of the threats. As suggested by
Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), firebreaks, fuelbreaks, security fence, guards and
repellents can be used as protection measures.
Action.
According to Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), when the threat is detected and all the
people are informed, the necessary action should be taken. If it is the fire outbreak,
people should fight the fire; wild animals must be chased away from plantation and
thieves arrested.
2.3.5.3 Output.
The output of a plantation security system is the reduction of losses caused by fire,
animals and theft. When the system is operating at high level of efficiency, the
effects of the mentioned threats will be very low and as a result the loss of timber
will be reduced.
Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), noted that the plantation security system is a group of
interrelated components that are designed to monitor, detect and communicate any
activity that may pose a security threat on a plantation.
For the system to operate efficiently it should have all the necessary resources. For
firefighting purposes water is the major resource required. Roads leading to the
plantation boundary are of special value as is a track running along a boundary so
that access is gained to where the danger may be approaching. When everything is
Inflationary period in the recent years kept on haunting the Wattle Company
Limited’s operations. During the period many of its experienced workers left to seek
for greener pastures in countries like South Africa and Botswana. From these
individuals there were some professionals from the security department. Because of
this the company is facing a shortage of experienced personnel in the security
department. Nicolas and Beebe, (1999), pointed out that well trained and
experienced workers are part of the plantation security system. Without one of the
inputs the system may not work properly. This is one the reasons why the systems
are failing to produce quality results.
The Forestry Commission has made attempts to clamp down on illegal exports,
working with the police and revenue authorities. Some truckloads of timber have
been seized. The authorities have also tried to prevent fuelwood collection by
providing guards for forested areas, but this has proved largely ineffective as
desperation has forced many to find ways to evade being apprehended.
Mahonye and Makate, (2008), pointed out that the government was for political
reasons reluctant to act against the black farmers accused of causing fires. The
author went on to explain that many of the settlers occupying the plantations were
settled there by the government contrary to its earlier claims that it would not seize
plantations for redistribution to landless people. Muchinguri, (2007), argued that the
damage caused to timber plantation could take up to twenty years to correct. The
damage caused by forestry fires since year 2000 when the government began its
land redistribution exercise was greater than damage incurred in the previous thirty
years.
From the authors above it can be noted that, because of political reasons some
people seize some of the plantations that belonged to forestry companies. This is one
According to Katerere, (1996), the forestry act of 1996 forbids people from burning,
growing or standing vegetation on any land without prior notice to the occupants of
all adjourning land and the police. The act further stipulates that in the event that
one is found guilt in a court of law, the accused should be liable of either a fine or
imprisonment.
The communal land forest produce act restricts the use of forest products in
communal areas by the local people to “own use”. It further states that communal
people are not allowed to enter the plantations or use plantation resources like dams,
hunting, and so forth without permission from the owners. This act was criticized
for being too restrictive. The act in its present form fails to recognize the rights and
interests of communities. The community is left with no incentive to protect the
plantations and sometimes they end up burning those plantations because of
frustration.
The government is always imposing new rules and regulations some of which
directly or indirectly affect the security of timber plantations. Kanyekanye, (2006)
stated that, in the year 2000, the Forest Act was sidelined in favour of the land
reform programme. Since then , the plantations have had little protection against
fires. In many cases plantation managers have reported the illegal settlers to the
police for burning down plantations and illegally cutting down the trees but the
police have shown unwillingness to arrest the farmers because they considered the
matter to be political.
2.5 Relationship among plantation security system, timber output, threats and
challenges
It can be noted that plantation security system is directly related to the timber
output. By designing an effective system the management can reduce any losses
Rathfon and Farlee, (2002), noted that , the installation of man made sources and
access of water are a part of a fire management planning where natural sources of
water within a concession are limited. Holes are dug within the plantations before
the dry season to help ensure a water supply in the dry season. Water tanks are also
constructed within the plantations to be filled with water pumped from the nearby
dam or river. Canals that run through the plantations are constructed to meet the
water problem.
A network of wide tarred roads is also constructed in the plantations to cater for the
movement of fire fighting teams. In some areas light railways channels are laid
within the plantation for access of the security teams to the point of danger.
The companies called for the adoption of a plantation policy that was crafted by
the industry, which among other issues calls for settlement bordering estates to be at
least five kilometers away from the edge of the forest plantation.