The Zimbabwe Landscape

Discover the stunning Zimbabwe remarkable natural landscape its biodiversity from msasa trees to Jacaranda blossoms. LAINS explores why protecting Zimbabwe's environment is an act of love for future generations.

The Spirit of the Zimbabwean Landscape

The Zimbabwe natural landscape beauty from golden savanna to purple Jacaranda is worth protecting for generations. Nature is the most important teacher we have in our lives. When we look at the world around us we see a story of change strength as well as beauty. In Zimbabwe this story is very much clear because our weather changes in a way that everyone can see for themselves. During the time when the sun is hot and the rain has not yet come the land around us looks very different than it does in the summer time. Alot many people think that the dry season is a time when nature is sleeping and snoaring but if we look closely at the trees and the grass you can see that nature is working very hard to prepare for the future which is good for people and animals.

The images of our local bush such as the one above show us a mix of many colours like that of a peackock. What we see are deep greens bright yellows and also dusty browns. This mix of colours tells us that different trees have different ways of surviving as created by God. Some trees like the ones with thick green leaves are very good at holding onto water deep inside their trunks. Other trees choose to let their leaves turn brown and fall to the ground like the musasa. Oooh this is not a sad thing at all. When a tree lets its leaves fall it is saving its energy so that it can continue survivimg. It is also giving back to the mother earth. The brown leaves on the ground will eventually turn into rich soil through decomposition as well as mulching that helps new plants grow and blossom. This is the circle of life that keeps our environment healthy and strong. Human beings should then play a part in the way nature operates. Protecting Zimbabwe's environment means guarding its trees, its soil, and the seasons that make it extraordinary.

Nature's beauty

Nature and sustainability in Zimbabwe are deeply connected healthy land means healthy people. When we walk through the Zimbabwean bush during this season in areas like Muzarabani, we notice how the light shines through the branches so beautiful. Because some trees have fewer leaveslike Muonde the sun can reach the floor of the forest. This sunlight is very important for the small bushes and young plants that are waiting to grow as well. In the background of such scenes we often see a beautiful splash of purple. This colour comes from the Jacaranda tree. The Jacaranda is a special sign for many people in our country. When the purple flowers appear in the streets of Harare we definately know that the season is chamging. It reminds me that even after a long dry time beauty will always return. It is a sign of hope that tells us the rains are not far away. Farmers will now starrt land preparation for the impending planting season. Clever farmer like Chikosi says "ini zvangu ndinotanga kutogadzira munda wangu" ( as for me I then start preparing my field)

Protecting this environment is a job for each and every person without exclusion within each community whether Chiredzi or Chayamiti. As humans must fully understand that the trees are more than just part of the scenic view we like to see. They are the like lungs of our land meaning we can not do without them. They take in the air that we breathe out as carbon dioxide and give us fresh oxygen to breathe in thus make us live. Without the trees the air would not be clean thereby endangering humans. Trees also protect the soil when the heavy rains finally come the roots of the trees hold the earth in place so that it does not wash away into the rivers preventing erosion. This is why we must be very careful with fires we start as these destroy the trees through burning them. During the dry months the grass is more like paper. A small fire can grow and spread very fast destroying many trees and animals in the process. We must be the guardians of our forest to make sure it stays safe for our children and the animals too. People should always be thinking about the future.

Another important part of our nature is the way it supports our local economy (gross domestic product) and our health. Many of the trees we see in these images have been used for generations to help people. Some provide fruit (food) that is full of vitamins like mazhanje while others have bark or leaves that can be used for traditional medicine such as muruma nyama. When we look after our environment we are also looking after our health and our history. Leadership in our community means teaching the younger generation to respect these natural resources for the good of mankind. We want our children to grow up knowing the names of the trees and understanding how to plant them. This is how we build a mindset of growth and care. Such mindset triggers sustainability.

Sustainabilty

Sustainability is a big word but however it has a very simple meaning it means using what we have today in a way that leaves enough for tomorrow. When we see the beauty of the Zimbabwean landscape we should think about the year 2030 and beyond for future generations. We want the people of the future to see the same green bushes and the same purple flowers that we see and enjoy today. To do this we must surely practice good habits every day. We can actually start by not throwing rubbish on the ground a very bad habit. Litter has a very negstive impact to the soil and can be dangerous for animals. We can also help by sharing stories about nature on the internet so that more people learn to love our land. Socila media can help spread the love we shoud have for nature.

Leadership and nature are very much alike in all respects. A good leader is like a big tree they provide shade and protection for those who are smaller like the mupani. They stay strong during the dry times and help others to grow like mahogany. By connecting our community goals with our environmental goals we create a better life for everyone on earth. The organization of our society depends on the health of our planet. If the land is healthy, the people will be healthy as well. They can work hard to build businesses and schools.

let us remember to be patient when it comes to mother nature. Just as the trees wait for the rain we must work hard and wait for our efforts to show results in due time. Whether we are building a website starting a project or planting a garden things take time to grow change is natural and necessary process. We should not be afraid of the dry times in our lives because they are often the times when we are becoming stronger on the inside. Children by nature love nature and this has to be encouraged

The beauty of Zimbabwe is something we should be veryseriously proud of. From the tall trees with green leaves to the soft purple of the Jacarandas our environment is a treasure which is God given. We must work together in unison as a team to protect it from fire or any form of pollution. We must teach our children to love the earth because they belong to it and to be leaders in conservation efforts. By doing these simple things, we make sure that any country remains a beautiful place to live in. Nature gives us so much for free and the least we can do is treat it with kindness and respect. Let us keep our eyes open to the beauty around us and our hearts open to the work of protecting it. Everyone has a part to play

Author Bio

Cosmas Tendai Nemutenzi is the Founder and Director of LAINS Zimbabwe, with deep roots in this country's landscape from the schools of Manicaland to the retail floors of Bulawayo and Harare. As a long time Good Deeds Day Zimbabwe organiser and founder of a registered social enterprise, Cosmas has seen how Zimbabwe's natural and urban environments are both precious and pressured. This post reflects his conviction that loving Zimbabwe means actively protecting what makes it extraordinary.

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