Chimanimani youths work to build healthier soils and a healthier planet

[From right] Shumirai Chikukwa (20), Joseph Chikwengure (19), and Tinovimbanashe Tendeukai (22) are youths from Chimanimani district working towards building healthier soils and a healthier planet. They joined the community in Chimanimani district to plant trees on the 05th of December 2021. The youths are working with PELUM Zimbabwe Member, TSURO Trust. (Photo: Nick Mhando/STEPS)

Every first Saturday of December the national tree planting day is commemorated in Zimbabwe. Tinovimbanashe Tendeukai (22) is one of the youths working with PELUM Zimbabwe member, TSURO Trust. Tinovimbanashe participated in the national tree planting day celebrations held on December 05, 2021 in Chimanimani district.

Tinovimbanashe says she joined the tree planting day celebrations because it gives her joy as a youth to be part of efforts to restore the planet. She says as a young person, she is concerned about the future, the environment and the planet.

“As part of the commemorations, we were organized into groups of four people. Each person in the group planted trees which included the fig tree (Muonde) and scared coral tree (Murungu),” says Tinovimbanashe.

“I value trees because they are important to both humans and animals. They help in reducing effects of climate change and restoring our planet. Tree planting commemorations motivate people, especially the youth about the importance of preserving our soils and maintaining a healthier planet. Trees reduce carbon dioxide, and increases species richness. They also increase soil biota (components of soil nutrient activity),” says Tinovimbanashe.

Tinovimbanashe says there is still need for enhanced efforts to protect trees in Zimbabwe because forests are dying at an alarming rate.

“There is need to educate all the citizens on the importance of trees and encourage them to participate in the tree planting commemorations,” says Tinovimbanashe.

Roseline Mukonoweshuro (49), the TSURO Trust Programmes Officer and Julious Piti (49), Director of PORET Trust also highlighted the importance of trees in climate mitigation.

“Trees are very important in the environment because they act as carbon sequesters,” says Roseline.

Julious concurred and added that trees help in creating a micro climate that improves and creates an effective water cycle.

“Most people do not have knowledge on how useful trees are in resolving the effects of climate change. This could be the reason why many people destroy trees. Some people do not take into consideration what happens to the land when it is kept bare and what happens to microorganisms after burning and cutting down the trees,” says Julious.