The Forestry Commission said it would launch an investigation into reports that the mambe, known by its scientific name Kigelia africana, was being harvested for medicinal purposes in rural areas of Zimbabwe.
The Congress urged authorities to be vigilant against the destruction of mambe trees, among other medicinal plants, across the country.
This comes after mambe, also known as sausage tree, was discovered as a powerful medicinal herb that is now used to treat a range of ailments.
Though not scientifically proven, the use of a powder extracted from the mambee fruit and bark is becoming more widespread across the country, with the product being sold on the streets and in vegetable markets.
Mr Perseverance Chow, Member for Proportional Representation in Kwekwe, who raised an interesting issue in the noble House last week, said there was a need to protect the flora as demand for herbal medicines was on the rise.
“I have risen to speak on matters of national importance – the urgent need to protect Zimbabwe’s indigenous plants, including trees, shrubs and flowers with medicinal properties. These trees include the sausage tree (mambi) and the baobab tree (miuyu),” Zhou said.
“Our country is blessed with rich biodiversity, which our ancestors have used for centuries to treat various ailments.
“However, recent reports suggest that the demand for these herbal resources is growing rapidly both at home and abroad.
“This brings economic opportunities but also poses a major threat to the sustainability of our natural heritage.”
With most of the population struggling to afford scientific medicines due to poverty, herbal medicines have become an option for many due to their affordability.
Zhou added: “If left unchecked, indiscriminate collection and exploitation of these medicinal herb resources may lead to the extinction and loss of valuable medicinal knowledge.”
“One worrying trend is the growing interest in Zimbabwe’s medicinal plant resources by Western countries. There is a real risk that these countries will set up mass production facilities and as a result our natural resources may be depleted.”
“To prevent this from happening, we suggest that the government enact a comprehensive law to protect medicinal trees.”
According to her, the law should designate certain areas as medicinal plant conservation zones, where the harvesting of these trees should be strictly prohibited or regulated.
She also suggested that there is a need to promote the development and adoption of sustainable harvesting techniques that minimise environmental damage and ensure the long-term survival of medicinal plant communities.
The Forestry Commission announced last week that it would launch an investigation into reports that the mambe, known by its scientific name Kigelia africana, was being harvested for medicinal purposes in rural areas of Zimbabwe.
