Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti
Herald Reporter
LEARNERS at a Harare school have taken a significant step in environmental stewardship by planting 200 whistling pine trees on its grounds.
The trees were planted to commemorate National Tree Planting Day, celebrated annually on the first Saturday of December. The initiative, led by the school’s Environmental Management and Wildlife Conservation Club, received support from Nyaradzo Group through Friends of the Environment, alongside guidance from the Forestry Commission.
Northwest High School head Mr Gordon Mafara said the planting not only greened the school but instilled environmental consciousness in learners.
“We want to train the children to be good stewards of the environment. The slightest malpractice anywhere in the world can backfire on us, so we must nurture the environment to make the world habitable,” he said after the planting of trees last Saturday.
District forest extension officer for Harare Metropolitan, Mr Duncan Chiwala, explained that the choice of whistling pine was intentional, given the wetland terrain.
This evergreen species provides both environmental and aesthetic benefits, reducing noise from nearby roads and acting as a windbreak for school infrastructure.
“The purpose of planting these trees is to mitigate noise from the nearby roads and ensure the school is in a conducive environment for learning,” he said.
Environmental Club patron Mr Esau Chigova said the tree planting not only coincides with National Tree Planting Day, but also marks the official launch of the school’s conservation club.
Each learner planted and named at least two trees, pledging to care for them through watering, mulching, and adding manure to ensure growth.
“Our learners managed to plant at least two trees each, and they pledged to take care of those plants,” he noted.
Environmental advocate Mr Joseph Mhizha from Four Faces Environmental and Wildlife Conservation Trust spoke about the project’s role in educating youths about climate change.
“As a generation, we have already failed, so it is our duty to teach these young ones how to conserve the environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, reduce airborne heat, and help manage climate change,” he explained.
With Zimbabwe grappling with global warming, Mr Mafara stressed that vegetation is crucial in combating rising carbon dioxide levels.
“When we plant trees, we protect ourselves from global warming while creating habitats for countless organisms,” he said.
The tree planting at the school was celebrated as a model of community participation, integrating education, conservation, and practical action to safeguard the environment for future generations.
