Nelson Chamisa, the President of the MDC Alliance on Saturday 1 December 2018 said it is noble to plant trees since they are good for the environment, the earth and its future.
“Today, I was in Norton to plant what I termed ‘the New Zimbabwe Democracy tree’. We aim to plant two million trees annually until 2026 and even beyond. All our cities, towns, villages and communities must be climate smart making Zimbabwe a wholly GREEN country by 2026
“We have taken time today, together with leaders of our Party of excellence, the MDC and leaders representing various organisations to lead by example and call upon our people to promote this day it would by also planting trees in their communities,” Chamisa said in Norton where he planted a tree.
He said tree planting should be habit and a culture by all Zimbabweans. The initiative has potential to be replicated by other citizens countrywide. Chamisa said every Zimbabwean should plant a tree for democracy, for peace, for love and for harmony with the environment.
Chamisa said planting trees is an attitude of gratitude to the Creator, God The Almighty who gave mankind the precious fiduciary duty to exercise judicious stewardship over over HIS creations.
Planting trees is mankind’s gift to the future and next generations. It is also a pledge and a commitment to environmental peace for years to come.
“It is vital to note that planting trees and the patience of growing a tree is the same as building a functional democracy. In this era of global warming and climate change, trees play an important role in creating buffers against the possible effects of climate change. As a SMART government, we believe that climate change is real, and we must all take responsibility for mitigating against its effect.”
Trees contribute to the environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, sequestering carbon, protecting biodiversity, preventing soil erosion and supporting wildlife.
Despite worldwide efforts and undertaking to reduce emissions, human beings continue to live in the age of excessive carbon dioxide due to industrialisation and technological inventions.
“It is therefore critical, more than ever, that we appreciate the role of trees in reducing some of the excess carbon dioxide out of the air. A clean environment is important for the wellbeing and good health of a nation. A healthy people is a happy nation. As we strive for a better country, let us all remember that we have a very beautiful climate that is the envy of the world. Let us take advantage of this God-given endowment to save the world and support both national and global initiatives towards protecting our earth,” Chamisa added.
Trees remain an important source of energy and a pillar of livelihoods in Zimbabwe. It is therefore imperative that with every tree that falls for a useful purpose, another must be planted for the preservation of the environment.
The constitution of Zimbabwe, section 73 gives certain fundamental environmental rights and obligations. At law, the State must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to achieve the progressive realisation of the rights set out in this section.
“Authorities and parliament need to show seriousness by enacting legislation to criminalise the destruction of wetlands and the indiscriminate cutting down of trees. Stiffer enough penalties to the offenders. We need sustainable afforestation projects. Across the country, the Tobacco industry must recover but not at the cost of the environment. Tobacco farmers must invest in solar to save our trees.”