Chronicle Editor
Prince Sunduzani, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO residents have been urged to plant trees in the face of climate change related problems.
In a speech read on her behalf by Reigate District Administrator Mrs Elisa Chauke yesterday, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister, Cde Angeline Masuku, said Government is committed to nurturing and planting trees.
A total of 60 trees were planted yesterday during the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s belated national tree planting day commemorations held at the United College of Education.
The National Tree Planting Day is commemorated annually on the first Saturday of December. This year’s commemorations are being done under the theme “Fruit trees for security and nutrition.”
This year’s tree of focus is umbumbulu also known as muchechete, redmilkwood or mimusops.
“The theme reminds all of us of the importance of trees towards the nation’s food security in the face of climate change related problems that affect our nation time and again. The Government on its part has realised and acknowledged the importance of trees by noting the high dependence of people on forests for socio economic development and livelihood support,” she said.
“However indirectly, forests and trees complement agricultural production through water and soil conservation while livestock which is a key nutrition source depends on natural woodlands for growth and survival.”
Cde Masuku said an estimated 300 000 hectares of forests are lost per year in the country due to unregulated occupation of forest lands, opening of woodlands for agriculture and use of firewood.
The Forestry Commission donated the 60 trees which were planted within the college campus.
The National Tree Planting Day was set aside to motivate the nation to plant and conserve trees, enlighten the nation on the importance of forests and woodland resources, enhance biodiversity and household food security.
@PrinceNkosy102
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