derick.khumalo
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
[email protected]
YOUNGSTERS have been urged to become environmental ambassadors and stewards who will take a leading role in protecting and restoring forests for future generations.
Speaking during the recent World Desertification and Drought Day commemorations held at Senondo Primary School in Gwanda, People’s Own Savings Bank Gwanda District manager Mr Clarence Mlobane said learners should be equipped with knowledge and practical skills on environmental preservation.
He urged each learner to take responsibility for nurturing at least one tree at school and another at home as part of efforts to increase tree cover and instill a culture of environmental stewardship.
The commemorations were held alongside a tree planting exercise facilitated by the Forestry Commission.
World Desertification and Drought Day, commemorated globally on June 17, was established by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness on international and national efforts to combat land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme: “Rangelands: Recognise, Respect, Restore.”
Environmental Management Agency Matabeleland South provincial manager Mr Descent Ndlovu said reversing land degradation required more than policy interventions and called for a collective cultural shift towards environmental stewardship.
“Desertification is a very serious environmental challenge that needs our attention. Simply defined, desertification is a gradual process of soil productivity loss and the thinning out of the vegetative cover as a result of human activities and climatic variations such as prolonged droughts and floods.
“Human induced drivers of land degradation here in Zimbabwe include streambank cultivation, overgrazing, veld fires, brick moulding, illegal mining activities, deforestation among others. We will continue to deal with these decisively so that we uphold sustainable land management,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said desertification and drought could be effectively addressed through integrated policies and interventions, strengthened community participation and cooperation at all levels.
He said land degradation could be neutralised through nature-based solutions, strong community involvement and partnerships among all stakeholders.
Online Reporter