Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
COMMUNITIES have been urged to fully embrace the economic, medicinal and ecological benefits of trees while actively participating in reforestation, to curb the rapid loss of forests across the country.
Speaking during the Matabeleland South Provincial Tree Planting Day commemorations at Amazon Christian Academy Secondary School in Insiza District, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, in a speech read on his behalf by provincial director for infrastructure development and environment, Mr Daniel Njowa, said restoring forests is a national responsibility that begins at household and community levels.
This year’s National Tree Planting Day was launched by President Mnangagwa during the Zanu-PF 22nd National People’s Conference in Mutare, under the theme “Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihoods.”
The theme, running from 2021 to 2025, aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), Vision 2030 and global Sustainable Development Goals.
“This provincial commemoration brings the national vision of a greener Zimbabwe closer to our communities, ensuring that every citizen plays a role in nurturing our forests,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He said trees and forests are integral to health, ecosystems and the economy.
“Trees clean our air, maintain water quality and support biodiversity, which is the backbone of our tourism industry. Forests regulate climate, capture carbon dioxide and reduce the impact of floods and droughts,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
Despite these benefits, Minister Nguluvhe said the state of forests worldwide, and in Zimbabwe, remains a cause for concern. Between 2015 and 2020, the world lost 10 million hectares of forests annually, with Africa alone losing nearly four million hectares each year. Zimbabwe loses an estimated 262,000 hectares of forest annually.
“As we transition to the implementation of NDS2, forests will continue to play a key role in realising Vision 2030. Government remains committed not only to tree planting but to sustainable forest management,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He said value addition and market development for products such as wild fruits, medicinal plants, fibre and craft materials would be promoted to integrate forest products into both local and export markets.
Minister Nguluvhe emphasised that tree planting must go beyond symbolic events.
“Imagine every household establishing its own orchard. Communities can form cooperatives to market produce, schools can use fruit trees to support feeding programmes and teach environmental stewardship, while traditional leaders can mobilise their wards to protect and expand communal woodlands. By embracing this collective responsibility, we turn tree planting into a driver of economic empowerment, ecological restoration and social resilience,” he said.
Forestry Commission board member, Mr Stewart Mantula, said trees remain central to livelihoods, and the devolved approach to this year’s tree planting commemorations was designed to increase community ownership.
“Each year, the Forestry Commission distributes seedlings, coordinates planting events and restores degraded landscapes. This year, we are deepening community involvement to ensure long-term engagement beyond the event. As the lead agency in the forest sector, we will continue refining policies that meet the needs of stakeholders across the country,” he said.
Traditional leaders also stressed the cultural importance of trees. Chief Sibasa of Insiza District said certain indigenous trees traditionally protected homesteads from lightning, but many were now being indiscriminately cut down.
He said sacred trees, once respected by communities, were also at risk, adding: “Nature is important and must be preserved.”
This year’s tree of the year is the Sausage Tree — Mumvee in Shona and Umvebe in IsiNdebele — an indigenous species known for its ecological, medicinal and cultural significance in communities across Southern Africa.
@DubeMatutu
