The ManicaPost
Tanyaradzwa Mujati
Post Reporter
THE Forestry Commission is working flat out to reverse deforestation losses per year by increasing the national forest cover to 47 percent by the year 2025.
Speaking during the belated commemorations of the National Tree Planting Day at Herbert Chitepo Barracks in Mutare last week on Friday, the Forestry Commission’s Mutare forestry officer, Mr Brian Muchadenyika said if one does not feel inspired to plant a tree this year, it means they are working against the attainment of Government’s Vision 2030.
“The reason for the loss of trees is probably due to the increase in population or poverty, leading to more demand of firewood. However, the bottom line is your trees or rather, our trees, are under attack and if what we have gathered to do here doesn’t inspire you to plant trees this year, then you are fighting against Government. You are fighting against our Vision 2030,” he said.
Mr Muchadenyika said the country is losing 320 000ha of forestry cover every year.
“If we take the 320 000ha that we are losing on an annual basis and add it to what our neighbours, Mozambique, are also losing, this means about half a million of forest cover is being lost in the two countries annually.
“I don’t want to sound like a prophet of doom, but if our participation in these matters is not taken seriously, very soon we will be breathing dry air,” he said.
Mr Muchadenyika also said the Forestry Commission is working flat out to reverse deforestation losses per year by increasing the national forest cover to 47 percent by 2025.
“This will be something like 2,5 percent to three percent increase in five years, thanks to the unwavering support of our Government, particularly the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is the Environment Patron,” said Mr Muchadenyika.
He called upon local communities to embrace tree planting so that the target can be achieved by 2025.
“I strongly believe that this target can easily be surpassed if local communities, Government agencies, development partners, religious groups and schools join hands to plant trees,” he said.
Mr Muchadenyika said they are implementing two programmes to improve and conserve forests.
“We have the Tobacco Wood Energy Programme targeting our tobacco farmers who for the past few years had become a reliable market of our native species. We are hoping to have a similar programme for artisanal miners.
“We also have the National Tree Planting Day, which is spearheaded by the Forestry Commission. This is our flagship campaign held every first Saturday of December. This annual event has been a strategic tool for leadership to join hands with the public to plant trees and also for people to remind each other about the importance of these resources in our day-to-day livelihoods,” he said.
The tree for the year is the Syzygium Cordatum (Botanical name), also known as Waterberry. The Shona name is Mukute/Muhute/Muisu, while the Ndebele name is Mmdoni/Imiswi.
The tree grows near riverine areas, but is slowly becoming extinct as most subsistence farmers are practicing stream bank cultivation and cutting them down.
“The tree was chosen as the ambassador tree due to its medicinal properties. The leaves, roots, bark and fruits are used to treat 24 human diseases such as burns, mouth sores or general sores, wounds, colds, respiratory complaints, STIs, tuberculosis, diarrhoea, fever and malaria,” said Mr Muchadenyika.
He added: “The tree is also known as a food source, a source of fuel wood and charcoal, timber, building materials, fences and landscaping. The bark and fruits can make dye. The fruits can also make a strong alcoholic drink. As the Forestry Commission, we say, ‘Don’t just grow old, plant trees.”
