The once lush and unbroken slopes of Mutare’s Christmas Pass Mountain are rapidly being transformed into a landscape of destruction. Where thick woodland and rocky outcrops once defined the iconic landmark, fresh gashes of red earth now stretch across its back, signalling the advance of illegal mining operations.
From afar, the scars are unmistakable. Jagged cuts snake dangerously close to the telecommunications towers that crown the summit above Hillcrest, while stripped vegetation exposes the bare mountain face. The mountain, long celebrated as a natural gateway into the eastern city, now bears raw wounds that conservationists say could permanently alter both the environment and the cultural heritage of Mutare.
Recent photographs circulating on social media reveal the extent of the devastation: terraces carved into the hillside, heaps of spoil soil dumped along the slopes, and forest cover uprooted to make way for mining activity. The iconic euphorbia trees that once dotted the slopes now stand isolated and helpless, silent witnesses to the destruction creeping up the mountain.
For those who live beneath the range, the changing outline of Christmas Pass is more than just an eyesore. It has become a warning sign of possible disaster. Villagers and residents fear that the unchecked mining will cause soil erosion, landslides, and siltation of nearby water sources, endangering both livelihoods and infrastructure.
Mutare’s Christmas Pass Under Siege: Illegal Mining Threatens City’s Iconic Gateway
Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), confirmed that illegal mining has been taking place along the Christmas Pass Range.
“Yes, Simba. They started mining near Hillcrest along the Christmas Pass Range. Last week they were working there, and someone managed to stop them. The miners quickly removed their equipment and left, but it’s not clear whether they’ll return. Once such activities begin, it is difficult to stop them completely,” Maguwu explained.
His words echo what the photographs already make clear — the mountain is under siege. The pale soil of freshly dug earth contrasts sharply with the darker forested areas, giving the impression that the mountain itself is bleeding.
Christmas Pass is not just another stretch of hillside. It is a landmark woven into the identity of Mutare. For generations, travellers descending into the valley have been greeted by its sweeping views, with the mountain acting as a natural fortress that shields the city. Its symbolic importance is deeply felt by residents, many of whom describe it as the soul of Mutare.
But conservationists warn that this heritage is now in jeopardy. If illegal mining continues unchecked, the Christmas Pass could lose its ecological balance, with irreversible consequences for both the environment and the cultural image of Mutare as Zimbabwe’s eastern jewel.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
Attention has now turned to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), which many residents and advocacy groups are pressing to act decisively. Community leaders and conservationists are calling for an immediate suspension of all mining activities on the range until proper assessments are conducted.
Among the urgent demands are:
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An immediate halt to all mining along the Christmas Pass Range.
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A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to evaluate risks to ecology, water systems, and public safety.
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Transparency on permits and authorisations, if any exist, that allowed such operations in a protected heritage zone.
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Prosecution of illegal miners and all those who facilitated the activities without legal clearance.
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Restoration and rehabilitation programmes to repair the scars already inflicted on the mountain.
Without swift intervention, residents fear that Mutare could lose one of its most treasured natural assets, with damage that could take generations to reverse.
The crisis at Christmas Pass reflects a broader pattern across Zimbabwe, where unregulated mining has left rivers polluted, forests stripped, and communities displaced. From gold panning along major rivers to granite quarrying in rural districts, the hunger for minerals has often overridden environmental safeguards.
Experts argue that if authorities fail to protect symbolic sites like Christmas Pass, no part of the country’s natural or cultural heritage will be safe. “It is not just about Mutare. It is about setting a precedent,” one conservationist warned. “If we cannot defend our most iconic landmarks, what hope is there for the rest of our environment?”
As the scars widen across the mountain, the fate of Christmas Pass hangs in the balance. Will it continue to welcome travellers into Mutare with its iconic green slopes, or will it become another casualty of uncontrolled mining?
For residents watching the destruction unfold, the answer lies in whether authorities act decisively — not tomorrow, but today.
Source- ZimEye
