President to launch tree planting season at Congress

Diana Nherera Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe will launch the 2014/5 tree planting season on the National Tree Planting Day to be held on Saturday at the Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress venue in Harare.The day will be marked under the theme: “Forests for Food Security and Nutrition”.

President Mugabe is expected to plant the tree of the year, an indigenous tree called Bolusanthus Speciosus or Mukweshangoma or Mupaka in Shona and Impaca or Umbambangwe in Ndebele or Wisteria in English.

Speaking at a Press briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said President Mugabe would again demonstrate his unwavering support and commitment to tree planting by leading the nation in planting trees.

He urged individuals and the corporates to plant indigenous trees to conserve the natural bio-diversity.

Cde Kasukuwere said the media should assist his ministry in passing the message of planting more trees to prevent deforestation which stands at 330,000 hectares per year.

“I’ve always said that many people are stepping up to the responsibility of tree planting and actively participating in tree planting activities,” he said.
“The target of this planting season is 15 million trees and I’m challenging Zimbabweans to work together so that we can achieve even more than the last season.”

Cde Kasukuwere said during the past tree planting seasons of 2013 and 2014; 12,4 million trees were planted out of a target of 10 million.

The trees were planted by various stakeholders who include private forestry companies as well as individuals.

A tree planting awareness programme is being held through the annual walkathon which started on Tuesday and ends on Friday.

During this year’s walkathon, people are expected to walk from Bulawayo to Gwanda and plant trees along the way.

“The nation takes pride in this noble cause as it helps in spreading awareness on the importance of trees and reminds us of our individual responsibility towards the environment,” said Cde Kasukuwere.

“I want to thank all those who participated in previous events and to thank individuals and corporates as well who are organising and funding this event and urge them to keep up the good work.”