4-H Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has launched a tree planting initiative, to commemorate the National Tree Planting Day that took place in December.
4-H Zimbabwe working with the Forestry Commission was able to facilitate the planting of 1000 trees at Whawha Prison Complex, Midlands Province. The activity was led by Prison Officers and inmates to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by Climate Change. Due to Climate Change, the high heat temperatures caused by the sun have destroyed the vegetation on the land. This initiative is aimed at restoring the trees to ensure there`s adequate vegetation to support the inmates and the wildlife with shade, energy and nutrition.
4-H Zimbabwe Executive Director and Guest of honour at the event, Mr John Muchenje led the planting of the first tree, the tree of the year- Rauvolfia Caffra/Quinine tree which is also called Mkondiwa in ndebele and Makashu in shona.
“As we witness the rapid depletion of forests and the alarming effects of climate change, it becomes imperative for us to take action. National Tree Planting Day serves as a powerful reminder that each of us can make a positive difference by planting a tree today,” said Mr Muchenje.
“We are investing in a greener, healthier future and combating climate change by reducing air pollution, thereby mitigating the devastating impacts of natural disasters”
“On this National Tree Planting Day, let us pledge to make a lasting impact. Planting a tree is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a commitment to nurturing and caring for our environment,” he said.
“It is a call to action for each one of us to become stewards of nature, to protect and restore the green spaces that sustain us. Let us carry the spirit of tree planting in our hearts throughout the year and embrace the responsibility to protect our environment and preserve the precious gift of nature.”
Addressing delegates at the tree-planting ceremony, ZPCS Officer Commanding Midlands Province, Commissioner Somore Gate, said the ZPCS is also teaching pupils at Wha Wha Primary School to plant trees. He added that the ZPCS is focused on setting up biogas plants within prisons to provide inmates with a clean energy source for cooking.
“We have made deliberate efforts to ensure that all the students we enrol at Wha Wha Primary School plant trees, so that by the time they reach Grade Seven, they will see their trees grow. At the moment, we are working on establishing biogas plants at our prisons to ensure prisoners have clean energy for cooking,” said Commissioner Gate.
4-H Zimbabwe is on a drive to ensure that the Chiwundura rural district is capacitated with the adequate strategies to fight against climate change.