Severe Land Degradation Hits Checheche as Heavy Rains and Poor Vegetation Take Toll By Rudo Mupatsi CHECHECHE, CHIPINGE DISTRICT – Vast tracts of land in Checheche, Chipinge District, are rapidly deteriorating due to a combination of heavy rains, recurrent flooding, and poor vegetation cover , raising alarm among environmentalists and local farmers over the long-term impact on livelihoods and food security. In recent years, Checheche — located in the southeastern lowlands of Manicaland Province — has experienced increasingly erratic rainfall patterns. Torrential downpours during the rainy season have caused widespread soil erosion , silting of rivers, and destruction of farmland. The once-fertile soils are being washed away, leaving behind gullies and barren patches that threaten both agriculture and settlement areas. Local farmers say the degradation has worsened due to deforestation and poor land management practices , including overgrazing and uncontrolled cultivation alon...