adminANSWER: This year’s Walkathon destination is Mutare from Harare and we are in the process of mobilising walkers and support staff to help us raise awareness on issues affecting our environment, in this case the need for us all to save our forests. The business sector has weighed in with sponsorships packages in cash and kind. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all.
QUESTION: We have been made to understand that this year’s Walkathon would be distinctly different from last year’s. In what way is it different?
ANSWER: When we had the inaugural walk of last year, we set a target of planting 500 million trees in 15 years. Immediately after the walk, we started consultations with many Zimbabweans including corporates about what we believe is a collective responsibility: “Getting Zimbabwe green again”. I am excited to say that we got an overwhelming yes and now we are in the implementation phase of the 500 million trees dream. We were hoping to unveil our programme of nursery adoption during this Walkathon, but because of time constraints, we will unveil only one on December 3, 2011 our National Tree Planting Day.
QUESTION: As Friends of the Environment your focus has mainly been on tree planting. Why?
ANSWER: We believe that trees play a balancing act in the life equation. They provide us with clean air to breathe and act as long-term carbon sinks. They are an energy source; provide us with healthy and tasty fruits; create employment at the same time providing habitation to many animals of the wild. Their contribution to this life is priceless.
QUESTION: How many trees are you targeting to plant this year?
ANSWER: The national target as set by the Ministry of Environment is 10 million trees.
QUESTION: How bad is deforestation in Zimbabwe and what is your assessment of current efforts to reforest the country?
ANSWER: Our situation is desperate; the country is losing 330 000 hectares of trees every year with very few being planted, factor in the debilitating power cuts, and you have a cocktail for disaster. It is estimated that at this rate we will be done with what remains of our forest cover in 52 years. Now that is frightening. However, there is increased momentum as evidenced by current multi-sectoral efforts, which must be sustained for us to avert this disaster in waiting.
QUESTION: Since the formation of Friends of the Environment initiative last year what would you say has been your contribution to these efforts?
ANSWER: We know that the problems we face arising out of deforestation are huge first as a country and as a planet. A lot of noise about going green has been and will continue to be made. Ours has been an additional voice on top of many. We are happy with what we have done in what I would like to call the first phase of the going green war. We are getting into the second phase, which I think will be more exciting and I have spoken about it already.
QUESTION: Where are we coming short in these efforts as a country?
ANSWER: For too long we have left tree planting to the Forestry Commission alone. In the last 10 years they have been hamstrung by budgetary constraints associated with the period of hyperinflation. As Friends of the Environment we believe tree planting is everyone’s responsibility. Imagine how many trees we would plant in a year if every one of our 14 million people makes it a habit to plant just 10 trees a year.
QUESTION: After last year’s Walkathon, would you say there is an improvement in terms of environmental awareness?
ANSWER: Certainly, environmental awareness has reached new heights judging by the overwhelming demand for tree plants from all across the nation as well as the willingness of companies to adopt nurseries. Musicians have also weighed in by forming an association “Artists for the Environment” and more people will join us on this year’s Walkathon.
QUESTION: Critics argue that the planting of trees without coming up with tools that discourage veld fires and the indiscriminate cutting down of trees is not helpful. What is your take on that?
ANSWER: The problem we have had over the years is that of ownership. By having community-owned nurseries, we believe that Solomonic wisdom will be inculcated in the minds of our people and due attention will be given to tree conservation and tree planting.
QUESTION: Others advocate for the enforcement of environmental ethos through legislation. Do you think the legislative route would be effective?
ANSWER: Legislation alone will not be adequate as it requires policing. Moral suasion and awareness campaigns will achieve better results. Our people need to have a sense of ownership and collective responsibility over matters of the environment.
QUESTION: What would you say were the major lessons derived from last year’s Walkathon and how have they shaped your understanding of the environment?
ANSWER: While the lessons were quite many, I will restrict myself to the major ones which are:
i) Tree planting is now a top table discussion topic;
ii) There is more awareness about the dangers we face as a country if we continue cutting down trees;
iii) Friends of the Environment has become synonymous with tree planting;
iv) While in the past we were comfortable with planting a couple of thousand trees a year, this year’s national target has been set at 10 million.
QUESTION: Any words you might want to share with our readers out there?
ANSWER: We must always think long term. Let us plant trees as a way of life. Trees are life. Let us show love for this generation and future generations by creating a legacy of forests. And the time to do that is now.
Online Reporter