The Midlands State University Tugwi-Mukosi Multidisciplinary Research Institute (MSU-ToMRI) has set up plans to fund research teams that among other things, would investigate the displacement of many families at Tugwi-Mukosi dam following heavy floods that occurred in 2014.
By Stephen Chadenga
In 2014, close to 3 500 families were evacuated to transit camps in Chingwizi, Chisase and Masangula after heavy rains and the partial collapse of the Tugwi-Mukosi dam wall resulted in flooding and displacement of the people.
In a statement, MSU said six research teams, to be funded to a maximum of $3 000, would conduct baseline investigations in and around the dam on various topics that also includes displacement of the people.
“A list of sub-themes to be interrogated (include) displacements and law, social implications and conflict, impact on agriculture and livelihoods, opportunity for poverty reduction, alternative methods of financing dam linked projects in Masvingo, disease ecology and indigenous knowledge,” the higher learning institute said.
Other topics to be researched on are the politics of participatory processes in resource governance, social impacts of mega water projects, environmental impacts and mitigation strategies, dam safety and sustainability, water governance in Zimbawe and geological influence of the dam.
According to MSU, the research teams should present research proposals that include sub-themes, research methodology and budget by Wednesday. “The research teams are to present their findings at the September 2018 Faculty of Arts International Research Conference on Dams, Society and Environment in Zimbabwe,” MSU said.
