Sharon Chiware Midlands Reporter
THe Midlands Province has set a target of planting 1,5 million trees in commemoration of the National Tree Planting Day this year. Speaking at belated National Tree Planting Day commemorations at Town House last week, District Administrator Mr Jorum Chimedza said it was high time that members of the community acknowledged the importance of conserving trees.
He said the level of deforestation in and around Gweru was alarming, mainly due to people cutting down trees for firewood as well as clearing land for farming.
“Members of the public must strive to minimise the level of deforestation and degradation of forests in this District and the country at large as they too depend on the environment. As human beings our lives depend on the environment which is surrounding and thus the need to conserve trees and plant more trees as replacements to those we would have cut down. As a province we are going to plant 1,5 million trees in support of the tree planting initiative,” said Mr Chimedza.
He said while they planted only five trees at Town House, the programme will be taken to the other eight districts in the province. Gweru Mayor Councillor Charles Chikozho said Gweru residents were cutting down a lot of trees when they clear land for urban farming.
“As the council we are advising all the residents who are carrying out such practices do desist from it. We have designated areas for farming and they should go there. We don’t want them farming in undesignated areas. If there are problems residents are urged to approach council so that we conserve our trees and protect our environment,” he said.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) District environmental officer Mr Timothy Nyoka urged council to work hand in hand with EMA to minimise deforestation and streambank cultivation.