Tree planting help revive depleted forests

On 27 April, 2023, we distributed 50 tree seedlings to women in Chiramba village in Chimanimani district as part of our effort to restore the depleted forests and environment. The tree seedlings were from a community nursery that we established in 2022.

Chiramba village, like most areas in Zimbabwe is reeling from the adverse effects of the climate crisis. Extreme weather patterns like droughts, cyclones and heat waves is contributing to depleted forests. We are working with women in Chiramba village to plant more trees as a way of maintaining landscapes.

After distributing the tree seedlings, we organised a tree planting demonstration to teach the women how to plant the trees. Grace Kupangwa (56) is one of the women who participated in the tree planting demonstrations. Grace says planting trees will help to revive the damaged landscape and provide community members with fruits.

“Our forests are fast disappearing because of low rainfall. People are also cutting down trees for domestic use. If we do not plant more trees, the landscape will end up like a desert. As a community, we need to plant more trees every year,” says Grace.

Going forward, we plan to establish more community based nurseries so as to avail more tree seedlings to the community.