Business Reporter
PROPERTY market game changer, WestProp Holdings Limited has set aside a vast tract land for an orchard project which has already commenced at Pomona City.
The US$4 billion project is going to be the only live, work, shop and play residential enclave with a fruit orchard to feed its residents fostering community and social connection.
The orchard will enhance the estate’s ambience, property values and general appeal.
Two residential stands big enough to fit two apartment blocks has been reserved for the orchard in support of the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Last Friday WestProp Holdings chief executive officer ,Mr Ken Sharpe led a team from the company to plant the fruit trees that include indigenous species like matamba, matohwe and exotic trees such as orange, apple, mango, peach, lemon, guava and many others.
The tree planting exercise dovetails into the national tree planting programme that seeks to green the environment and provide a sustainable future underpinned by mechanisms that cope with climate change.
Besides the fruit trees the company is planting palm and indigenous trees such as Musasa, mutondo and acacia.
Sharpe announced that WestProp had partnered with Pastor Dezzy Nyikadzino – founder of Our Fruit Trees Trust – an organization that plants fruit trees in public spaces to provide food, green the environment and assist in fighting climate change.
Pastor Nyikadzino said he was happy WestProp had sacrificed two property plots for the fruit trees.
Mr Sharpe had this to say: “We are doing another first in Zimbabwe. I do not know of any developer who has sacrificed space for two buildings to give space for trees”.
“The benefit to the community is immense. We now have this whole orchard with 68 fruit trees that will produce thousands of fruits for the residents now”.
Planting fruit trees in residential estates benefits residents, the environment and the community as fruit trees absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen and purify the air while their roots hold the soil together preventing erosion and landslides. The trees provide food, shelter and a habitat for various birds, insects and animals while regulating temperature, providing shade and cooling the air through evapotranspiration
