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Mazvita Chada Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Army is prepared to play its part in mitigating the effects of global warming, ZNA Commander Lieutenant-General Absolom Chimonyo has said.

In a speech read on his behalf by Major-General Paul Chima to commemorate National Tree Planting Day at Good Hope Farm on Tuesday, Lt-Gen Chimonyo said the military will do everything in its capacity to protect the environment.

“It is important for all Zimbabweans not only to take a keen interest in the cause of environment protection, but also to be active participants by planting new trees every year.

“We as the Zimbabwe National Army will play or party in mitigating the effects of global warming. We need to plant more trees to save our country, continent and planet at large,” Lt-Gen Chimonyo said.

Lt- Gen Chimonyo said planting of trees contributed immensely to the creation of a healthy planet.

“Forests are the lungs of our planet as they draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, trers improve our lives both on a large scale and at the local level,” he said.

“They (trees) also help to filter and regulate water, preventing flooding and protecting watersheds. They reduce noise pollution by shielding homes and offices from roads and industrial areas.”

Lt-Gen Chimonyo added: “I ask you to respect trees and attach great significance to the environment. The slogan ‘Each Zimbabwean should plant a tree’, which is common among the people is a good slogan.

“The people should do their best to plant more trees on such days. Let’s not allow our forests, grasslands and the environment in cities and rural areas to be destroyed.

“Trees and forests are closely linked with weather patterns and also the maintenance of a crucial balance in nature, hence the task of environmental protection is a responsibility for all of us.”

Lt-Gen Chimonyo said the Tree of the Year (Mushuma) was an important tree as it was used in pottery, dyeing mats and the fruits make a traditional fermented drink.

“The edible fruit (from Mushuma) is used in fermented drinks and it can also be made into a type of porridge or more commonly mixed with mealie meal and the leaves are eaten by a wide range of wild animals,” said Lt-Gen Chimonyo.