Staff members from the Deposit Protection Corporation (DPC) took part for the second time in the 2015 Friends of the Environment Walkathon from Bulawayo to Plumtree, walking a distance of 100 kilometers over a period of 3 days in an effort to raise environmental awareness on the importance of tree planting.

 

The walkathon is also part of DPC's corporate social responsibility in conserving our environment.

 

The 2015 walkathon witnessed over 240 walkers from different institutions taking part. In addition to the awareness walk, tree planting was also done at Masotsha Primary, Marula Primary, Thekwane High and also in Botswana. The highlight of the walkathon was the official opening of the tree seedling nursery at Thekwane High School in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South which coincided with the National Tree Planting Day on Saturday 5 December 2015. The nursery will serve as the hub for providing tree seedlings for the communities in the region.

 

Friends of the Environment (FOTE) is a non-profit organisation of like-minded individuals and corporate entities championing the re-greening of Zimbabwe through tree planting. FOTE works together with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management, The Forestry Commission and Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

 

Objectives of FOTE:

• to plant 500 million trees by 2026.
• to establish at least 100 nurseries across the country.
• to raise environmental awareness through annual walkathon campaigns.
• to plant trees across the country with different communities.
• to encourage communities to plant and conserve trees.
• to create employment through nursery projects.
• to create woodlots from which communities can derive benefits.

 

Background to the drive:

• widespread deforestation has turned out to be the chief global ecological tragedy of modern times.
• forests are depleting much faster than nature can replenish on its own.
• it is estimated that 330, 000 hectares of trees are destroyed annually in Zimbabwe (1ha = 1,600 trees).
• At this rate, it is estimated that Zimbabwean forests will be completely wiped out in 52 years (Forestry Commission, 2012).
• Deforestation is said to be affecting the SADC region, African continent and the whole world.

 

Importance of trees

• maintenance of a balanced ecosystem.
• trees have a multi-functional effect of reducing global warming.
• trees control weather fluctuations.
• trees protect the soil, filter water, provide medicinal herbs and beautify landscapes.

 

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