Tree ambassador to launch ‘Command’ tree planting

NATIONAL tree ambassador, Never Bonde, has urged government to introduce a Command Tree Planting programme as part of efforts to encourage citizen participation in combating deforestation.

BY SILAS NKALA

Bonde made the call during commemorations of the World Environmental Day at Cowdray Park in Bulawayo at the weekend.
“It is wise to follow the Command Agriculture template and as we speak we have 834 000 plants that are available. We are organising an indaba for the regional bloc which is coming in the near future,” he said.

He said they had chosen Cowdray Park for the main commemorations because of rampant destruction of vegetation in the area.

“We urge people in this community to rise up and implement mitigation strategies. Let us appreciate nature avoid veld fire, guard against polluting the environment and change out attitudes towards environment issues,” Bonde said.

In a speech read on her behalf, Environment minister Oppah Muchinguri challenged civi society groups and community leaders to complement government efforts to preserve natural resources.

“In order to connect to nature and live in harmony with it, let us have zero tolerance to veld fires, not to burning waste, no to deforestation and poaching as this destroy the beauty of nature,” she said.