Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE Midlands Province has launched the Presidential Legacy Forest Concept, with more than 2 000 trees being handed over to legislators for planting in their respective constituencies.
The development aligns with the Food Security, Climate Resilience and Environmental Protection cluster under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) policy framework.
The initiative marks a significant step towards amplifying reforestation efforts in the province.
Tree planting is no longer confined to the annual International Tree Planting Day but has become a continuous exercise and a way of life since the launch of the Presidential Legacy Forest Concept by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The decentralisation of the programme to legislators is expected to cascade to the grassroots, transforming the initiative into a full-scale green revolution across the province.
Forestry Commission Commissioner, Sylvia Sithole, said the programme was designed to reach communities at all levels.
“This project is noble in reaching out to communities. By handing over trees to legislators, we ensure that every district in the province is covered and the process is set in motion. We are targeting everyone, including children, youths and the elderly.”
Legislators in the Midlands Province expressed appreciation of the task ahead following the launch of the programme.
“This initiative will help us reclaim our forests that have been destroyed due to deforestation. I am going to district forestry commission officers in the tree planting programme,” Legislator for Gokwe Mapfungautsi Constituency, Honourable Tawanda Karikoga noted.
“I want to thank our President for this scheme. We need trees to survive and such a programme will indeed take us far,” Gokwe Nembudziya Constituency legislator, Honourable Flora Buka added.
“We are taking these trees to schools and some identified land for reforestation purposes. We will be working with community leaders to rally villagers into forestry preservation methods,” Legislator for Zvishavane Ngezi Constituency, Honourable Meki Jaravaza said.
The Midlands Provincial leadership has embraced the noble programme meant to preserve the environment.
“We have to agree that climate change is real. What the President is doing is to lead from the front. As a province, we are simply saying it is time to go green. There is no turning back on this project,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube noted.
Globally, countries continue to grapple with the effects of climate change, which have resulted in adverse weather patterns, food insecurity and, in some cases, loss of life.
The Presidential Legacy Forest Concept is therefore viewed as a beacon of hope, aimed at preserving forests for the benefit of present and future generations.
