adminResponding to questions from journalists soon after the 2011 Tree Planting Day commemorations at Bata Primary School in Gweru, Minister Nhema said wood poachers were taking advantage of Zesa’s tight load-shedding programme to cut down trees while realising brisk business from residents who endure long hours without electricity.
“This is the major problem we are facing as a country in our effort to try and control the wanton cutting down of trees. The wood poachers are taking advantage of the fact that residents spend long hours without electricity forcing them to resort to firewood for energy,” said Minister Nhema.
He said the poachers were turning forests into deserts but were not contributing to planting of trees.
Minister Nhema commended Zimbabweans for participating in the reforestation by taking part in their numbers in the national tree planting days, which are held annually.
“In the face of increased wood poaching activities that we have been witnessing, I would, however, want to commend Zimbabweans for always embracing the National Tree Planting Day and taking part in our fight to protect and maintain our vegetation by planting millions of trees yearly,” he said.
Minister Nhema said there was a need for the nation to plant more indigenous trees, which he said were fast being outnumbered by exotic trees in the country.
“In the past we have seen more exotic trees being planted at the expense of indigenous trees.
“To the contrary, high numbers of indigenous trees, which are being cut down in the countryside and around cities’ outskirts are not being replaced.
“If we look at the current percentage, the country has more exotic trees than indigenous trees and there is therefore a need for us to improve on planting local trees to strike a balance between the two,” he said.
Minister Nhema said the nation was aiming to plant 10 million trees this year.
President Mugabe is expected to officially launch this year’s National Tree Planting Day commemorated on the first Saturday of every December.
The Midlands province has become the first province to commemorate this year’s National Tree Planting Day and is targeting to plant 700 000 trees.
This year’s theme is “Forests for People”.
Bata Primary School yesterday marked the National Tree Planting Day in style by planting 1 000 trees within the Bata Shoe Company complex.
This year’s tree is the Kigelia Africana tree commonly known as umveba in SiNdebele and mumvee in Shona.
Online Reporter