President hailed for pursuing pro-forest policies

President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe wave to supporters at a rally

Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe has been commended for his leading role in promoting sustainable management of the country’s forest resources and raising awareness on the contribution of natural resources to the development of the country.Environment, Water and Climate permanent secretary Mrs Florence Nhekairo hailed the President in a speech read on her behalf in Banket during an awareness workshop on the non-legally binding instrument on all type of forests

“The Zimbabwe Government is committed to sustainable management of the country’s forest resources for the benefit of its people, hence the setting aside of the first Saturday of December as the National Tree Planting Day by his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” she said.

“It is widely recognised that the economic, social and environmental well being of people worldwide is closely associated with the health of forests and their sustained ability to provide multiple benefits.”

The National Tree Planting Day was declared by President Mugabe, then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, in 1980 to motivate the nation to plant and conserve trees and each year the President plants a tree on the day.

Close to 330 000 hectares of forest land are lost in Zimbabwe annually and between US$2 trillion and US$4,5 trillion lost in global revenue due to forest loss and degradation annually.

Mrs Nhekairo said the alarming rates of deforestation and forest degradation and consequent impact on the structure and functions of forests had seen forests being put on the international agenda.

She urged Zimbabweans to commit to the implementation of the Non-legally Binding Instrument on all Types of Forests.
The forest instrument was agreed in 2007 by the 192 members states of the United Nations Forum of Forest which includes Zimbabwe and provides a framework of actions to be taken at country and international level to achieve sustainable forest management.
It involves the strengthening of political commitment, enhancing the contribution of forests to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and provides a framework for national and international co-operation on sustainable forestry management.