Residents urged to plant trees
BULAWAYO residents have been urged to plant trees and complement the Government’s efforts of ensuring national food security.
In a speech read on her behalf by an official Ms Pamela Phuthi yesterday, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister, Cde Judith Ncube, said the Government was committed to nurturing and planting trees.
A total of 90 trees were planted yesterday during the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s national tree planting day commemorations held at Mgombane Primary School. The National Tree Planting Day is commemorated annually on the first Saturday of December. This year’s commemorations are being done under the theme “Fruit trees for food security and nutrition.” This year’s tree of focus is Umdlawuzo also known as the African Ebony.
“The theme reminds us all that trees have a role to play towards the nation’s food security in the face of climate change related problems that affect our nation time and again. The Government on its part has realised and acknowledged the importance of trees by noting the high dependence of people on forests for socio economic development and livelihood support
“However, indirectly, forests and trees complement agricultural production through water and soil conservation while livestock which is a key nutrition source depends on natural woodlands for growth and survival,” she said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the district conservator for Bulawayo, Mr Bekithemba Ngwenya blamed the increase in deforestation on people’s day-to-day activities.
“Our message has been falling on deaf ears because people have continued to cut down trees regardless of our annually celebrated national tree planting day. People know that they are not supposed to be cutting down trees but they do it anyway. There is a lot of illegal firewood harvesting due to the absence of electricity. Some people have been clearing down trees for settlement. If this continues there won’t be any trees left,” he said.
He urged those who want to harvest firewood as a business to register and apply under the Forestry Commission or else face prosecution.
“Firewood harvesting can be registered as a business. People need to apply and be in possession of requisite papers that permit them to harvest. However, we will have to monitor and check to see whether or not you are following the law because one can only harvest dead wood. If one is found in possession of firewood and he or she does not have the requisite papers they will be asked to pay a fine which ranges from about $20 to $700 depending on where they get the wood,” he said.