Kheyi Masuku of Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi high-density suburb is one of a handful of concerned citizens who’s taking practical action to restore Zimbabwe’s endangered forests.
Masuku, who is unemployed, manages and runs a unique indigenous tree nursery at his house in the suburbs.
“I decided to nurse and raise these trees after realising the environmental havoc that deforestation is causing in our communities. A lot of areas are no longer receiving rains and the massive, wanton cutting-down of trees makes the situation worse. Trees are crucial for stopping climate change,” said Masuku.
He said his tree-planting project was also meant to provide habitats for wildlife, raw materials and fruits for communities in drought-prone areas such as Matabeleland province.
“I do not sell my trees, but I donate them to anyone who is in need of them. I do not believe that trees should be sold because, to me, selling a tree plant is like selling air to a fellow human being. Citizens must be encouraged to plant and grow trees on a colossal scale. Aided by a change in attitudes, we can manage to reverse the deforestation,” said Masuku.
Since he started on his project in 2009, Masuku has planted and raised more than 300,000 indigenous trees, which he has donated to schools, communities and farmers.
Masuku revealed his target is to have raised around a billion trees by the year 2020.
He paid tribute to Bulawayo city council for making a small piece of land available to him, but appealed for resources to develop the land.
“I need money to drill boreholes at the site as well as to construct proper greenhouses. As a country, we should seriously consider giving more support and incentives to tree care givers and producers so as to tackle climate change and global warming which have made life extremely difficult, especially for the poor,” he said.
He also appealed to the government to consider allocating land to tree producers.
Some of the indigenous trees found at Masuku’s nursery include mikina, mizhanje, baboob, amalula and mukute, one of the fastest growing trees. He also raises aloes, which he uses for medicinal purposes.
According to the environment, water and climate ministry, Zimbabwe’s forests had declined to 40 per cent by the end of last year from 66 per cent in 2000.
Environmental experts say that, at the current rate of tree loss, there will be no forests to speak in 50 years, a development that could lead to unprecedented social, economic and environmental repercussions.
The chaotic land reform programme, uncontrolled veld fires and use of wood for fuel have been largely blamed for this loss of trees.
Post published in: News