Harare — THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism has invited the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to combine forces with the police to arrest rampant illegal gold panning in the countryside.

Illegal gold panning has reached alarming proportions along the country's rivers, streams and valleys making it difficult for police alone to contain the situation.

On many occasions police have fought running battles with violent gold panners and the ministry believes that the engaging of soldiers could strengthen the Government's position.

The ministry's permanent secretary, Ms Margaret Sangarwa, said she was looking forward to working "hand in glove" with the police and army to overcome the environmental challenges.

She said the panners were violent that the police and officers from the ministry alone could not achieve the expected results.

"We are concerned with the violent nature of the panners to such an extent that unarmed police officers fail to arrest them.

"In an effort to curb illegal gold panning in the country, the ministry has initiated joint operations with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) resulting in thousand illegal gold panners being arrested.

"The violent nature of the panners, makes it impossible for my officers to carry out inspection alone," said Ms Sangarwa who was addressing ZDF students at the Zimbabwe Staff College yesterday.

Ms Sangarwe said the ministry had done a lot in terms of information campaigns but failed to yield the intended results as such they have to try something else.

"Despite environmental education campaigns, which my ministry has held throughout the country with the view to raise awareness on environment issues as well as engendering in people values, skills, attitudes and behaviour consistent with environmental management, illegal gold panning has continued unabated," she said.

She said illegal gold panning activities upstream have reached alarming rates in the countryside, drastically reducing the amount of water that flows into dams like Mazowe.

"It is estimated that over 600 000 people are practising illegal gold panning countrywide in districts like Mazowe, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Shamva, Makonde Chimanimani and Insiza and this has resulted in severe environmental devastation.

"Currently, Mazowe dam is holding about 20 percent of water its maximum capacity," she said.

The permanent secretary also said she was concerned with the recent illegal gold panning activities in the game parks and forestry estates.

"Of concern to me is the recent spontaneous sprouting of illegal mines in game parks and forest estates such as Mpfuri Game Park and Tarka Estates.

"I understand that these mines have not undergone the Environmental Impact Assessment process in terms of the requirements of the environment management," Ms Sangarwe said.