Chirinda Forest inspires refugee youth

BY TRUST BVARANGA

CONSERVATION of Chirinda Forest environs at Mt Selinda in Chipinge has inspired youthful climate action ambassadors who hail from Tongogara Refugee Settlement.

The team comprised of volunteers of a youth-led organisation named Refugee Coalition for Climate Action (RCCA). What they witnessed inspired the youngsters to plant more and more trees with a purpose of curbing climate change.

Team Leader, Gawaar Juich expressed gratitude on how the forest is standing as an icon of climate action.

“As Refugee Coalition Climate Action (RCCA), our core activity is tree planting and has always been driven by a passion for environmental sustainability. Witnessing firsthand a conserved natural forest such as Chirinda and its Big Tree is a poignant reminder that collective action can have positive impact on our planet,” he said.

Chirinda Forest is a breathtaking natural beauty nestled in the eastern part of Chipinge. It is home to The Big Tree, which is on record as the biggest red mahogany in Southern Africa and Africa’s second largest tree.

The forest is also home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including several endangered species that encompasses monkeys. The blended trees formulate an intense covers of the ground that keeps it moisturised.

This makes macro and micro-organism that lives in the soil, to grow and navigate peacefully.

RCCA Programme Manager, Noham Bvaranga commented the surrounding communities on preserving its heritage.

“Chirinda Forest is a heritage for the Ndau people whether on the Zimbabwean or the Mozambican side. Ndau history is incomplete without the mentioning of Chirinda Forest. I am happy that the local communities are preserving their natural heritage,” she said.

“Our visit to Mt. Selinda Forest was a sobering reminder of the importance of conservation. As I looked at forest, I just said to myself, ‘What is stopping us from creating our own forest at Tongogara Refugee Settlement,’” said RCCA Secretary, Remmy Mwape Mutombo.