Midlands launches Constituency Tree Planting Programme

THE Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has launched the Constituency Tree Planting Programme in the province after handing over 2 000 trees to Members of Parliament for planting across all constituencies.

The programme covers all 28 constituencies in the Midlands Province, including Gokwe-Nembudziya, Gweru Urban, Kwekwe Central, Mberengwa East and Shurugwi South, spanning the province’s eight administrative districts — Gweru, Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Kwekwe, Mberengwa, Shurugwi, Zvishavane, Chirumhanzu and Gweru.

Minister Ncube handed over the trees during a ceremony held at the Government Complex in Gweru yesterday, describing the initiative as a key pillar in strengthening environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Addressing legislators, he said the programme dovetails with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) pillar on Agriculture, Food, Climate and Environment, which prioritises environmental protection, reforestation, responsible mining and the restoration of degraded ecosystems.

“The handover of 2 000 trees to Members of Parliament marks the official launch of the Constituency Tree Planting Programme, which is designed to complement the Presidential Legacy Forests Programme launched last year by His Excellency President Mnangagwa,” said Minister Ncube.

He said the Presidential Legacy Forests Programme also aligns with the Maputo Declaration on the protection of Miombo forests, signed by President Mnangagwa alongside other SADC leaders.

Minister Ncube said the Midlands Province has already identified and developed management plans for eight Presidential Legacy Forests covering about 15 000 hectares.

“Each district now has one Presidential Legacy Forest, which we view as a potential investment hub for eco-tourism and carbon credit initiatives that can create jobs, empower youths and uplift women and other marginalised groups,” he said.

The minister said the programme forms part of the Government efforts to transform community livelihoods, grow the economy and achieve an empowered upper middle-income society by 2030, in line with Vision 2030.

He noted that under the New Dispensation’s policy of opening the economy to private sector-led investment in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and tourism, the province is prioritising responsible resource extraction as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

Minister Ncube said during the NDS1 period, Midlands Province managed to maintain forest cover at approximately 49 percent of wooded land and bushland, largely through partnerships with the private sector.

He cited several reforestation initiatives, including the Drylands Sustainable Landscape Impact Project in Shurugwi, which planted trees over 108 hectares, Chengetai Cheng-Xi Investments, which planted 20 000 trees covering 20 hectares, and Unki Mines, which planted trees over 20 hectares.

Other contributors include ZimAlloys (10 hectares), Hunani (7,5 hectares) and Sino Zimbabwe (four hectares), among others.

Minister Ncube also commended First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s Health, Tourism and Wildlife Ambassador, for her leadership in environmental protection and climate action.

“The First Lady’s programmes on tree planting, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem protection and climate resilience have earned her regional and international recognition, including her appointment as SADC Environment Patron,” he said.

Minister urged Members of Parliament to fully embrace the Constituency Tree Planting Programme and ensure the success of the Presidential Legacy Forests initiative.

“The trees we plant today are symbols of hope and resilience for future generations. Let us take this programme beyond today’s ceremony and transform our constituencies into green landscapes that attract investment and sustain livelihoods, in line with the vision of His Excellency the President,” he said.