BCC Defends Tree Removal As ‘Necessary Evil’ For Road Rehabilitation

By Shingirai Vambe

BULAWAYO-The local authority here has defended its decision to cut down and uproot hundreds of trees around the city, describing it as an unfortunate but “necessary evil” to facilitate road construction.

Recently, the city council felled and uprooted numerous street trees in the Central Business District (CBD) and Avenues as part of its ongoing roads rehabilitation project, which aims to enhance the city’s image and restore order.

However, this development has sparked outrage among environmentalists and members of the public, who argue that the loss of trees and vegetation can lead to climate change, desertification, flooding, increased greenhouse gases, and various challenges for Indigenous communities.

National Tree Planting Ambassador Never Bonde expressed deep concern over the council’s failure to replace the felled street trees.

“While we welcome the road rehabilitation project, we are alarmed by the indiscriminate cutting down and uprooting of trees in certain areas.

“All the street trees along George Silundula up to Harare Road have been removed, leaving that area resembling a barren soccer field,” Bonde stated in an interview.

He emphasized that the council should have conducted a comprehensive environmental assessment before implementing the road project.

“If we are not careful, the benefits of the rehabilitated roads may be overshadowed by the environmental issues created by the loss of trees. The council should have developed a plan to replace the trees that were destroyed, as they play a crucial role in our ecological system,” he added.

In a bid to contribute positively, Bonde pledged to donate seedlings to the local authority to help replenish the lost greenery.

“Let us all join hands in greening our beautiful city. As the tree planting ambassador, I am ready to lead the way by donating tree seedlings to the city council. I have also noticed that many street trees in the city have outlived their lifespan and need to be replaced, especially in light of climate change,” he said.

In response, Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu acknowledged the situation as unfortunate but reiterated that it was a “necessary evil” to pave the way for the rehabilitation of the city’s road networks.

“The cutting of trees to facilitate road construction, as indicated by the Works Department, is unfortunately a necessary evil. Under the circumstances, you can’t win both ways,” he explained.

Ndlovu urged residents to engage in green initiatives implemented by the local authority to beautify the city.

“To mitigate the impact, the council has a programme to replant trees throughout the city.

“Occasionally, older trees, especially those in the CBD, will be trimmed or removed based on their condition and the potential danger they pose to property.

“We are expanding roads in those areas, and tree planting will follow the repairs,” Ndlovu explained.