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Over nine million trees were planted in 2016 with a total target of 15 million expected to be attained by the end of the rainy season around March this year. The plants represent a one million increase from eight million planted in 2015.The Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe operations manager Mr Steven Zingwena said the country was on a massive afforestation drive to replace the trees cut to pave way for agriculture.
He said the commission is working with various local authorities and traditional leaders to promote establishment of woodlots and nurseries.
“We are working with farmers to produce tree seeds and tobacco merchants who are establishing woodlots in areas particularly around Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Manicaland provionces,” he said.
“We have also engaged local authorities to get leases for land to be set aside to plant trees that will be harvested as firewood in the future,”
Deforestation activities have been rampant within the country, especially in the rural and semi-rural areas. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Zimbabwe lost an annual average of 327 000 hectares of forests between 1990 and 2010.
An annual estimate of 20 to 25 percent of deforestation in the country is said to be a result of commercial sale of wood, clearing land for cattle ranching and infrastructure development activities.
Environmental Management Agency spokesperson, Mr Steady Kangata, said trees are life.
“If people adopt afforestation measures, erosion and siltation are reduced, leading to increased sustainable livelihood for future generations.”
Online Reporter