adminlatest threats to this generation due to their intractable link and their consequent effects on extreme weather conditions, leading to crop failure and other natural disasters befalling mankind.
The deadly link between these twin evils contributes to the habitability or otherwise of any given community, which is why deforestation and climate change now form much of the official and public discourse globally.
That intractable link between climate change and deforestation has elevated debate on environmental protection to a universal responsibility for us all.
Closer home, Zimbabwe’s forests are depleting much faster than nature can replenish them on its own.
Replenishing these forests has become the biggest task confronting communities today.
Sadly, most of these communities lack the knowledge and resources needed to reverse the tide that is threatening mankind.
Touched by the plight confronting these hapless communities, Friends of The Environment (FOTE) sought strength in numbers by mobilising like-minded individuals and corporates to put their heads together and do something about the environmental tragedy unfolding in these settlements — be they urban or rural — countrywide.
Nyaradzo Group pioneered the initiative when it started planting a tree for every burial they have undertaken since July 2010.
This idea, which has seen more than 10 000 trees being planted with each burial, was warmly received countrywide.
Judging by its level of support, it became imperative that this initiative be replicated at a wider scale by inviting other companies to coalesce under the banner, FOTE, to increase the pace of tree planting activities countrywide.
Since 2010, FOTE has therefore been encouraging urban and rural communities to join in efforts to preserve the environment through tree planting.
Since then, we have embarked on massive awareness campaigns through annual walkathons, tree planting initiatives and creating or adopting nurseries countrywide.
After the inaugural 2010 walkathon, it became clear to FOTE that, as a nation, we did not have a vibrant nursery support system to enable us to achieve what we had set for ourselves to achieve.
It was then decided to establish tree sapling nurseries across the country to build a strong base that would support the initiative.
Many like-minded corporates have come on board to support the project and to date 10 nurseries have either been created or adopted, with each nursery targeting to produce 500 000 saplings per year.
Six of the nurseries are already producing saplings for planting. We are aiming at establishing at least 100 nurseries by 2015 to ensure availability of tree saplings to all those who needs them.
Most of the nurseries have been or rather will be established in schools to ensure pupils grow with a sense of responsibility and respect for the environment while appreciating the importance of tree planting.
In areas where nurseries have been established or adopted, FOTE is encouraging communities to take tree planting seriously and make a difference in their localities.
We have adopted the “catch them young concept”, to rope in children in schools, who happen to be our future leaders.
There are a lot of advantages to be gained by schools operating these nurseries apart from educating their children about trees.
The schools can also sell seedlings produced from their nurseries and channel the revenue towards the payment of school fees for the underprivileged children.
The schools will also have a dependable source of safe drinking water from their boreholes which resource will be used for gardening and animal husbandry.
It is also up to the schools to value add on their nurseries by establishing orchards and plantations that would create another revenue stream from proceeds from fruits and tree sales (including honey production).
In order to properly manage the nurseries, orchards and plantations, communities are being encouraged to form clubs comprising children, women and other interest groups so that these projects will not die.
Communities can then apply the revenue generated from these projects towards taking care of their household needs while also supplementing their diets.
With the right skills and knowledge, herbs can also be grown for a healthy nation is a productive nation.
Chiefs and headmen in each one of these communities have been engaged, in a top down approach, for community buy in and empowerment. This will allow for unfettered growth, protection and survival of trees.
FOTE have also engaged 61 rural district councils in Zimbabwe with a request for them to set aside at least 100 hectares each of uncontested land for tree planting purposes. The responses received so far have been positive and overwhelming.
All things being equal, we expect a minimum of 6100 hectares set aside for this initiative.
Still on building communities through tree-planting, FOTE have so far managed to plant over 50 000 trees with different organisations which include schools, churches, villages, charity organisations and prisons.
We have planted trees at Makate village in Murehwa and will continue planting trees with as many villages as possible considering requests being received from village heads.
We have also planted trees with churches such as Calvary Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church around the Warren Hills Cemetery and the United Methodist Church at their priest’s homes and offices.
We also joined hands with the Zimbabwe Prison Services. Prisons that have benefited so far from our initiative include Chikurubi Maximum Prisons, Mutoko Prison, Marondera Prison and Mutare Prison.
We aim to plant trees at all the 52 prisons in the country to address deforestation at prison farms and cater for their daily energy needs.
The main purpose of the project is to help in the rehabilitation of forests. We have also teamed up with Members of Parliament in tree planting initiatives in their constituencies.
Constituencies that have benefited so far include Goromonzi, Murehwa, Chikomba and Makoni.
More requests are coming in from different constituencies throughout the country.
FOTE have also partnered with other voluntary youth organisations, which include Restore Environment Trust, Green Environment Trust, Artists for the Environment Trust and Mukuvisi Woodlands in tree planting initiatives.
The overall goal of this project is to plant 500 million trees by 2025 beginning from 2010.
The table shows the nurseries which are running.
Online Reporter