Zimbabwe loses more than 327,000 hectares of forest every year, an alarming rate that places the country among the world's hardest hit by deforestation, according to a new report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Reported by the local press on Thursday, the study paints a worrying picture: Zimbabwe's ecosystems are under increasing pressure due to climate change, habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and the unsustainable use of land.
Presented as part of the WWF's 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, the report outlines the organization's priorities for strengthening environmental protection efforts in the face of accelerating climate change.
The WWF notes that Zimbabwe has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, threatening several iconic species, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and vultures.
The organization also warns about the combined effects of poaching, human-wildlife conflicts, and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, which are weakening ecosystems and undermining the livelihoods of local communities.
In response, the WWF is calling for urgent investment in a nature-positive development model that balances biodiversity conservation with improved living conditions for local populations.
The report highlights that more than seven million Zimbabweans depend on small-scale farming, making environmental degradation a direct threat to food security and household incomes.
As part of its strategic plan, the WWF aims to support community-led conservation, restore natural habitats, and promote sustainable economic activities benefiting at least 22,000 households by 2030.
The organization hopes to achieve tangible results in species restoration, ecosystem rehabilitation, and carbon sequestration, while strengthening communities' resilience to environmental challenges.