Ruya Adventist High School steps in to conserve trees

Fungai Lupande

Mashonaland Central Bureau

The Forestry Commission has planted 1 050 trees at Ruya Adventist High School in Mt Darwin.

Fifty of them are fruit trees, while the remainder are gum trees intended for a woodlot.

Mr Lucious Mujuru, the provincial manager for the Forestry Commission in Mashonaland Central commended the school for its dedication to preserving trees.

He said the school has a variety of exotic and indigenous trees, which are essential for providing shade and acting as windbreaks.

“Tree planting and conservation is not just the responsibility of the Forestry Commission, it is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

He also took the opportunity to discuss the dangers of veld fires.

Pfura Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Stancelous Nyachowe said local authorities are contributing to deforestation through urban expansion.

He urged them to promote afforestation.

“We cannot ignore urban expansion. Development plans often encroach on forests, leading to land clearance. Humanity has contributed to the destruction of trees, and the best time to plant trees was 20 years ago. However, the time to act is now,” he said.

Mr Gilbert Dzveta, the head of Ruya Adventist High School, said each of their 700 students will plant two trees by January 2025.

He emphasised schools’ responsibility on educating students about the importance of trees and environmental stewardship.

“We are working closely with the community to encourage a mindset shift towards conservation and the planting of more trees,” he said.