Agency, Partners Lead Walkathon to Promote Ecosystem Protection in Mt Darwin

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), in partnership with Friends of the Environment, Nyaradzo Group, the Forestry Commission and other government departments, on Saturday participated in the 16th edition of the annual Walkathon to Ruya High School in Mt Darwin, a campaign aimed at raising awareness on forest preservation and responsible environmental practices.

The event began at Madziwa Secondary School, where walkers embarked on a 21-kilometre journey passing through Mt Darwin town before arriving at Ruya High School. Upon arrival, the agencies led a tree-planting exercise in which more than 500 trees were planted. Students, teachers and the school’s Environment Club took part in the initiative, which is expected to contribute to the restoration of degraded land within the school and surrounding community.

Speaking during the event, EMA officials urged communities to intensify efforts to protect local ecosystems, highlighting the growing threat posed by veld fires, deforestation and other environmentally harmful activities. The Agency emphasised that recurrent veld fires continue to destroy thousands of hectares of vegetation each year, reducing forest cover, threatening wildlife habitats and undermining livelihoods that depend on natural resources.

Officials appealed to villagers, farmers and schools to adopt preventive measures such as creating fireguards, avoiding open burning, reporting fire outbreaks early and participating in tree planting programmes. They stressed that long-term ecosystem preservation requires strong community involvement and a shift towards environmentally conscious behaviour.

The Walkathon, now in its 16th year, is part of a nationwide movement promoting reforestation and environmental stewardship, with organisers hoping that such community-driven efforts will help curb the steady depletion of Zimbabwe’s forests.