By Tendai Guvamombe (Harare)
In a latest development, Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mangaliso Ndlovu recently made remarkable appointments to the Forest Commission Board.
Mrs Veronica Jakarasi, an Environmental and Climate Change Expert is now at the helm of Forest Commission Board.
The move has been received with excitement across Environment and Climate Change corridors.
Lawrence Mashungu Young Volunteers for the Environment(YVE) Zimbabwe President in a statement said,
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs Veronica Jakarasi Gundu on her appointment to the helm of Zimbabwe Forest Commission as Chairperson of the Board.”
“I would like to express my appreciation to the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honarable Nqozitha Mangaliso Ndlovu for his solid and wavering support in the ability of young people to steer the development agenda of this country.”
Soon after the annunciation of Jakarasi’s appointment, the social media corridors, Facebook and Tweeter in particular were awash with congratulatory messages from different youth organizations.
Elizabeth Gulugulu African Youth Initiative on Climate Change(AYICC) Programmes Coordinator expressed excitement on her Facebook page.
“Congratulations Veronica Nonhlanhla Jakarasi Gundu for being appointed substantive BoardChair of Forest commission. You have set the bar too high, we appreciate your leadership, looking forward to great interventions and all the best in your new endeavours.”
Jakarasi in her capacity as a Climate Financing Expert was part of the team that represented Zimbabwe at the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change Negotiation table. She has been also active in the current revision and updating of Zimbabwe’s Nationally Determined Contributions(NDCs) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC).
Environmental experts are optimistic that the appointment of Jakarasi will be a stepping stone in meeting Paris Climate goals such as the Bonn Challenge targets, reduction in deforestation and maximum implementation of the National Forestry Policy.
