By Bruce Chahwanda Political Editor
ZANU PF First Secretary and President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa says all the country’s citizens should play a role in the national beautification programme targeting all cities, towns and growth points.
He spoke in Harare this Thursday when he led Zanu PF congress delegates in a tree planting exercise, which is a precursor to a widespread tree planting programme set for the forthcoming tree planting
The tree planting exercise at the venue of this year’s national people’s congress in Harare ZANU PF was not only symbolic but also served to inspire Zimbabweans to play their part in the environmental stewardship drive.
Leading from the front, ZANU PF First Secretary and President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa planted the Mususu tree, followed by the party’s Vice Presidents and Second secretaries Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi.
ZANU PF National Chairman, Cde Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri two trees, the other on behalf of the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is Secretary for Environment and Tourism in the Politburo.
In a speech, President Mnangagwa said tree planting is part of the country’s beautification programme targeting all cities, towns and growth points.
“Today’s tree planting ceremony comes as we approach the first anniversary of the historic Glasgow Declaration, wherein leaders of the world undertook to fight climate change through enhancing forest and land use management. To achieve this feat, tree planting and forest conservation must be extended to all land uses; rural and urban areas alike.
“ As we intensify the clean-up and beautification of our cities, towns and growth points, I look forward to an increasingly improved natural landscape, covered with a variety of plants, which also contributes to climate change mitigation. Delegates to the 7th National People’s Congress and all other Zimbabweans countrywide are challenged to take Today’s tree planting event as a precursor to widespread tree planting during the forthcoming tree planting season,” he said.
For the President, environmental preservation is a collective responsibility.
“Several factors are causing deforestation. We must, therefore, urge our communities to continue implementing measures to protect our natural forest resources. This is more important as forests provide physical products and ecosystem services. These include among others, a habit for land-based species, climate change mitigation, buffering storms and floods, provision of shelter and jobs as well as security for forest-dependent communities.
“With regards to wildland fires, it is sad that the nation was recently befallen by a dark cloud when it lost ten firefighters to a wildland fire in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South Province. I have since directed the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry to review its Fire Management Strategy to ensure that we prevent further losses of life, property and the environment similarly,” he said.
The tree planting event at the congress is the brainchild of the ZANU PF Department of Environment and Tourism meant to inculcate the culture of environmental stewardship in party members and the nation at large.
