By Bisola Adeyemo
Zimbabwe First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, said cutting down trees without re-planting exposes the country to the effects of climate change.
Mnangagwa stated this on Wednesday during the rolled initiative to plant exotic trees, with the theme “Trees and forests for ecosystem restoration and Improved Livelihoods.”
The planting initiative which started in Mashonaland West Province has many tobacco growers who rely on firewood to cure their crops, the Harald reports.
More than 2 500 varieties of trees were planted yesterday as she initiated villagers to engage in tree planting.
According to her, the tree-planting initiative will be taken to all the country’s 10 provinces, which seek to preserve trees that provide fruits and medicines and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“We started this programme of planting trees and providing teachings to the communities countrywide some years back alongside the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). We shall continue doing so, but we had been affected by Covid-19,” said the First Lady.
“The theme is important for us because of climate change. I trust that you observed that this season had a hot dry period which affected some crops that were in the fields. I therefore wish to thank the Lord for giving us abundant rainfall that we are receiving across the country.
“I remind each and everyone of us that we have a task to protect trees. I implore everyone to plant trees and protect forests which are beneficial to us. We also get various fruits that help us fight diseases like Covid-19,” she said.
She, therefore, thanked the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Forestry Commission for rolling out tree-planting initiatives.
“I urge all leaders countrywide to lead in planting of trees in their areas. Even legislators must lead the people and plant trees. Each year we see vehicles leaving communal areas with fruits for sale in towns a sign that fruit trees are important and that fruits can be a source of income,” she said.
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