Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri hands over a road-runner chicken to Ward-14 zanu-pf Chairman Cde Taderera Gwanzura in Mahusekwa last week. — (Picture by Rutendo Rori)
Rutendo Rori Marondera Correspondent
Government has urged people to plant more indigenous trees as a way of preserving the country’s heritage and preserving it for future generations. Speaking at the Community Environmental Projects Training Certificate handover ceremony in Mahusekwa last week, Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri said indigenous trees had important social, economic and environmental functions.
“I urge you to plant more indigenous trees in the country, so that they do not become extinct and future generations would also benefit from the wild fruits and traditional medicine, as well as firewood,” he said.
“Indigenous trees are more effective in preserving the environment because they have a longer lifespan as compared to exotic trees.” Rtd Brig-Gen Mutinhiri urged people to breed more indigenous chickens for commercial purposes. He appreciated the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for donating 60 road-runner chickens to some wards in Marondera West Constituency. Rtd Brig-Gen Mutinhiri also donated 60 other indigenous chickens to the community.
“The Environmental Management Agency has helped this community with 60 road-runner chickens and we expect people to work in groups in this poultry project. I believe that if we work in groups, this project will be a success. I also want to congratulate the 87 people from Marondera West and Chikomba West constituencies who are receiving their certificates of training today. They were taught by EMA to preserve the environment by engaging in projects like conserving wetlands, gardening, tree planting and bee keeping. These people were trained so that they can also train others in their villages. Therefore, we do not expect to see you cutting down trees anymore or planting or farming near river banks,” he said.
Government set aside the first day of December as the National Tree Planting Day to encourage communities to preserve and plant trees across the country. The Forestry Commission says every year, the country loses 330 000 hectares of forests due to deforestation, more prevalent in rural communities. National Tree Planting Day seeks to educate people on the importance of preserving the environment by ensuring that a person plants at least one tree every year.