Abstract: Eucalyptus trees, like any other forestry plants, play a pivotal role in sustaining the natural endowments of almost all bio – setups coupled with multi – economic benefits. An undisputable observatory survey made in some parts of Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe, manifests bio and economic benefits of the tree species, to include reclamation of waterlogged burdened arable lands, reclaiming gullies , reduction of open water source sedimentation and improvement of the general environmental outlook. Economically, the tree species nursed the nation through availing all by-products derived from it in particular the construction and the manufacturing industries. However, all benefits derived from the tree happened to be at a latent cost, which to date currently manifested its self through underground water depletion as evidenced by change of cropping patterns among farmers mostly the rural folk. Global campaigns in the upkeep of a health environment by tree establishment, attracted the Zimbabwean nationals into planting more trees dominated by the eucalyptus species, most of which in or along wetlands which to date has contributed to ground water sources depletion against high extraction costs. High extraction costs take cognisance of a situation where if people were to opt for borehole as an alternative measure. This study therefore ravels the tree species controversy with much inclination to socio economic rather than empirical evidence.
Keywords: water depletion, eucalyptus, controversial, ground water, paradigm shift.
Title: CONTROVERSIAL ROLE OF THE EUCALYPTUS TREE SPECIES: A CHALLENGE ON GROUND WATER DEPLETION
Author: Masimba Gwemende
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
Vol. 11, Issue 3, July 2023 - September 2023
Page No: 1-6
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 21-July-2023
