ANCILLA GOTORE
MIRROR REPORTER
GUTU–Utsinda Christian College, one of the few private schools in Gutu District yesterday commemorated the International Day of Forests by planting 33 indigenous and exotic trees at the school.
The event which was initiated by the Forestry Commission was graced by Gutu Schools Inspector Ronald Muganhu who was the guest of honour.
Utsinda Christian is located in a thickly wooded Makorombwende Hill in Makorombwende Village about 8km from Mpandawana Growth Point along Gutu-Buhera Road. Adjacent to the school is a Mak Camp, a camping site whose structures are mainly made of wood.
Speaking at the event, Muganhu hailed Utsinda College for bringing awareness to the communities on the importance of forests. He also thanked the school for agreeing to host the Forestry Commission event. He said that the programme was in line with the new competency based education curriculum and urged other schools to follow in the footsteps of Utsinda.
The event ran under the theme; ‘Forests and sustainable production and consumption.’
Other guests at the event were Gutu Forestry Commission Extension Officer, Wellington Moyo, Utsinda head Albert Maramba, Junior MP Hazel Chitsinde, Edmund Masanganise who is Chief Gutu, Tatenda Masanganise (board member Utsinda College), Ward 8 Councillor Lazarus Hute, village heads Makanda, Mudzitiri and Tambire.
Development Aid from People to People (DAAP), an organisation involved in education, health, water and sanitation and agriculture was also represented at the event.
“I am happy with the school’s initiative to raise awareness in the community on the importance of forests. This programme by the college is in line with the new competency based curriculum. I hope that in the long run other schools will follow suit.
“Today’s event reminds everyone to avoid soil erosion, global warming as well as desertification. I urge everyone not to forget to plant trees,” said Muganhu.
The International Day of Forests was gazetted by United Nations in November 2012.
Maramba, Utsinda head said the event will become a tradition at the school.
“I am glad that we planted 33 trees, 16 exotic and 17 and indigenous trees today as a way of raising awareness to local leadership and students to conserve trees.
“I believe that in the long run we shall be planting 30 plants on annual occasions. The event will help in restoring endangered species to avoid extinction,” said Maramba.
Gutu Forestry Commission Extension Officer, Moyo emphasised on reforestation as there is no gazeted forest in Gutu and the Province.
“I urge Masvingo Province to develop a habit of reforesting as there is no gazetted forest in the area at the moment. We replant because forests start with a single tree. Trees protects water bodies, soil and about 1,2 billion people rely on forests. Therefore, destroying trees is destroying livelihoods,” Said Moyo.
Trees planted include Avocado, Mango, Pod Mahogany, Jacaranda as well as orange.
Utsinda School board is chaired by Professor Rangarirai Masanganise from University of Zimbabwe School of Medicine.https://masvingomirror.com