International Day of Forests: Health Benefits of Forests to the Ndorikanda Village.

By Shamiso Winnet Mupara

Posted March 23, 2023

In Tree Talk

St James Zingoro High School
P O Box 313
Mutare

22 March 2023

The Village Head
Headman Mukahanana
Ndorikanda Village
Ward 16,
Mutasa

Dear Sir

RE: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS 2023; HEALTH BENEFITS OF FORESTS TO THE VILLAGERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I write this letter to tell you about the healthy benefits of forests to the villagers in our community.
Forests are large areas covered by trees, bushes, shrubs and grass. These are of great importance to the inhabitants of our village. They have so many benefits to people and animals. One of these is improving people’s health and well being.

Trees in the forests provide villagers with the much needed oxygen. Without trees many people will die as they will in polluted air. It is only the presence of forests that enables people to have fresh air.

Forests have trees, shrubs, and grass that have medicinal value. Most trees are used as medicinal herbs. People make use of their roots, barks or leaves to treat different diseases. For example, muroro roots (Annona stenophylla bush; African custard apple) are used to treat cancer related diseases and gavakava (aloe) to treat stomach pain.

In addition, trees in the forests bear fruits which are important to human nutrition. Fruits provide villagers with vitamins. They are protective foods. They help prevent people from being attacked by various diseases.

In conclusion, Forests are very important and villagers should be encouraged to plant more trees, protect existing forests and desist from starting veldt fires.

Yours

Oscar

Oscar Mupetura is a member of the Zongoro Primary School Wildlife Club in Mutasa District in Manicaland. This is what he has to say on International Day of Forests 2023. He is 11 years old and in Grade 5. The Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Catch-Them-Young Project in partnership with ZimParks Manicaland is taking Environmental Education to schools and encouraging students to participate in Environmental Protection