Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
fixed telecoms operator, TelOne has embarked on a reforestation programme to plant 100 000 trees countrywide by the end of this year, an official has said.

TelOne area business manager for Matabeleland South Mr Munetsi Kabanda said they had so far planted 47 000 trees, 15 000 of which are in the southern region.

He said the reforestation initiative sought to replace trees which were cut down during trenching when they embarked on the broadband programme a few years ago.

Mr Kabanda handed over 1 000 trees to Beitbridge Municipality during the Mayor’s Anti-litter and Drugs marathon last Saturday.

“A lot of trees were destroyed during the national broadband programme because of the trenching that was done. You will note that we are a company that is environmentally conscious, we have decided to replace the trees that were cut down,” he said.

“Since the trees need attention we decided to work with communities and schools countrywide. This is to ensure that the trees that are being planted are attended to.

“In addition to planting trees we are also running the Provide A-Bin campaign where we have donated over 1000 bins in most urban settlements in the country.”

He said the reforestation programme will spread to all urban and rural settlements such as Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Kariba, Victoria Falls, Gweru and Kwekwe.

Mr Kabanda said it was important for stakeholders to collaborate on issues around environmental management.

“In 2017 we planted a total of 56 000 trees and our target this year is to plant around 100 000 trees across the country under the reforestation programme.

“We are happy with the progress on the ground, where we have planted 47 000 trees and we are primed to meet our set target,” said Mr Kabanda.

Head of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in Beitbridge, Mrs Nomphumelelo Chigwinya said reforestation and the anti-litter marathon were in line with the World Environment   Day.

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