Deputy Minister Rwodzi (kneeling) prepares to plant a tree at the tree planting ceremony in Chirumhanzu recently.
By Dickson Bandera
Hundreds of people converged at Nyautongi Primary and Secondary Schools in Chirumhanzu on Wednesday to plant ornamental and fruit trees at a special tree planting occasion organised by Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi.
Hon Barbara Rwodzi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Chirumhanzu, told the guests that Chirumanzu Constituency had set a target of planting 50 000 trees for this year’s tree planting season.
Guided by the theme, ‘Trees and forestry for ecosystem resilience and improved livelihoods’, the community planted about 1000 trees which included palm trees, avocado trees, mango trees, gum trees and pine trees.
Hon Rwodzi took the opportunity to educate the community on the importance of trees.
“So we came here today to Chirumhanzu to educate people that trees are life, trees are our bushes, our bushes are our food and the future of generations to come.
“People know and they understand that they are not supposed to cut trees but what do they do when there is no replacement? In rural areas, they cut down trees for firewood, building and other purposes but they do not have a replacement to that.
“They have an understanding through the traditional leadership that they are not supposed to cut trees, but without us coming to the ground to give them trees and to educate them more, we are not going to have more trees as we desire as a country that is also suffering repercussions of climate change.”
The Deputy Minister urged local authorities to engage the community on a massive reforestation drive that will seek to increase the rate at which new trees are planted as a way of conserving the environment which has been seriously affected by human activities.
The event was also attended by the Board Member for Forestry Commission Prof Munashe Shoko, Deputy Director General Forestry Commission, Mr Stephen Zingwena, District Development Cordinator, Chief Chirumhanzu and other invited guests.
