Zimbabwe's First Lady promotes tree planting culture

Zimbabwe's First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is promoting a culture of tree planting to avoid deforestation and conserve the local ecosystem. In Muzarabani district, for example, tree planting has become an integral part of people's daily lives.

This year, residents planted 450,000 Eucalyptus trees as part of Tobacco Wood Energy's programme. Auxillia Mnangagwa, who patronises environment and tourism issues, was commended for spreading the culture of tree planting in Muzarabani, as reported by The Herald.

Auxillia Mnangagwa had visited Chinyani Secondary School the previous day with her tree planting programme. "The First Lady has urged us to plant trees to curb deforestation. We have now adopted the culture of planting trees," said Jane Kagodo from Chinowaro village.

Chipangura Chirara, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) 6 project manager, also urged residents of Muzarabani to protect their forests. He said GEF6 was supporting forest ecosystem restoration and anti-poaching activities in Mbire, Muzarabani and northern parts of Hurungwe.

"We are working with local authorities, the Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Environment to conserve forests under the Zambezi valley biodiversity programme. We support nine non-governmental organisations through grants. We are also supporting three beekeepers' associations to set up honey processing centres. In addition, we have built three large nurseries and expect to plant 2.2 million trees on 6,000 hectares," he reported.

TV BRICS is a partner of the Angel of Hope, the First Lady's personal charitable foundation. The partnership supports and promotes humanitarian initiatives.