Tiyani Hahlani

The Forestry Commission in Masvingo has announced an ambitious plan to plant more than 700 000 trees as part of a national effort to restore degraded woodlands and strengthen community livelihoods.

This year’s provincial launch was held at Rutenga Primary School in Mwenezi under the theme “Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihoods.”

The designated tree for this year is the Sausage Tree (mumvee in Shona).

Acting Provincial Manager Tonderai Moyo urged communities across Masvingo to take an active role in the national tree-planting initiative, highlighting its significance for environmental renewal.

“With this programme, we encourage all communities to take part and participate in this initiative. As a province, we have successfully secured 100 000 hectares of woodlands through the establishment of community-based forest management committees,” Moyo said.

He stressed that while tree planting is vital, communities must also commit to protecting the environment to ensure long-term success.

“We issue a stern warning, urging communities to be vigilant in preventing veld fires and to adopt environmentally responsible practices in their daily lives,” he said.

Moyo further noted that Masvingo’s forests face serious threats, including deforestation and degradation driven by illegal mining, charcoal burning, and illegal logging—activities that have especially targeted the valuable ironwood (mutsviri) species.

The tree-planting programme is part of a national initiative spearheaded by the Government of Zimbabwe under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, aiming to restore degraded landscapes, conserve natural resources, and ensure communities benefit from the ecological and economic value of trees.

National Tree Planting Day is marked annually on the first Saturday of December.