adminto reverse the damage their activities inflict on the environment.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries planted trees during its Go green campaign at Milton Junior School and Fairview Adventist Primary School on Wednesday last week.
Speaking during the tree planting initiative, CZI chief executive officer Mr Clifford Sileya said the business community should embrace the concept of growing trees.
“The business community should give back to communities they run their operations from, but more importantly to mother nature since our survival as human beings is dependent on how we treat the environment,” said Mr Sileya.
“CZI embarked on the Business Goes Green campaign to show exemplary leadership in sustainable business development and leave behind a rich legacy for coming generations,” he said.
CZI president for Matabeleland Mr Cletus Moyo said the tree planting ceremony was the second series of what would become an annual event.
“Through the go green initiative we intend to educate, to inspire and to celebrate positive change in the country.
“Let us bear in mind that our ecosystem provides us with food, clean air, water and fuel. Henceforth trees are essential for our sustained wellbeing as humanity,” he said.
Mr Moyo said CZI with the assistance of the Forestry Commission intended to plant exotic and indigenous trees in both primary and secondary schools in the Matabeleland region in order to alleviate the effects of global warming.
Umguza district Forestry Commission co-ordinator, Mr Charles Mashingaidze, demonstrated and explained to primary school pupils the importance of properly planting trees in the environment.
“We should not only plant trees but it is essential to nurture them through watering and avoiding throwing foodstuffs at the trees, since that attracts termites and ants which negatively affect the progressive growth of the trees,” he said.
He applauded the move by the CZI of planting trees in Bulawayo and urged other companies in the region to emulate the initiative.
Online Reporter