Trees are nature’s lifelines

Andrew Mangwarara

THE Victoria Falls resort town is home to many beautiful hotels and lodges alike, notably the Miombo Mews.

The name is derived from the savannah term for brachystegia species-dominated woodlands.

The place boasts well-built apartments amid an array of beautiful indigenous and exotic plants.

What a magnificent attraction, drawing one away from the main Victoria Falls highway! It comprises 26 fully furnished holiday villas offering comfortable, self-catered accommodation.

The Miombo woodland is an important Zimbabwean treasure that must be preserved for posterity.

This brings us to the topic of discussion for this week: the preservation of natural trees.

Many new land owners are in the habit of destroying existing trees, which is a bad precedent. Trees need to be preserved because they take a very long time to establish and, once cut, change the microclimate of the area.

Trees help to improve and maintain the quality of water, soil and air. They purify the air by removing pollutants. They enhance the quality of human life by beautifying the landscape.

Preserved trees maintain property value and shield it from the elements. They protect the landscape by lessening wind speeds and the impact of rain on soil, thereby reducing erosion.

Historically, trees were high-value assets, providing settlers with medicine, energy, tools and transportation. People often migrated in search of trees.

Deforestation can have devastating consequences. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere.

A hectare of trees absorbs six tonnes of carbon dioxide and releases four tonnes of oxygen, providing a vital service to all living things.

Cutting down trees leads to habitat loss for animals and people. Approximately 70 percent of animals live in forests and cannot survive deforestation.

Therefore, trees must be preserved. Their benefits to the community become evident when they are preserved.

So, wherever possible, plant a tree!

If you would like to be featured in our green-up campaign, contact us on the number above. Feedback: [email protected] or [email protected]