03 Dec 2015

Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) chief executive officer, Dr Akolang Tombale has implored Batswana to observe the annual national tree planting day as it raises public awareness to re-green Botswana.

Officiating at the 30^th anniversary of the national tree planting day at Sedibeng under the theme: Forests for people: A key to poverty eradication, Dr Tombale said the theme underscored the importance of trees and forests to food security and the contribution of forests to sustainable development.

He further said the theme reaffirmed the government’s commitment in ensuring that natural resources continued to benefit communities living within their proximity.

 Dr Tombale added that the day provides an opportune time to call on all Batswana to plant trees as a practical and symbolic gesture of sustainable environmental management.

 He also said it gives the nation an opportunity to be educated on the diverse trees found in the country, and at the same time gives them the chance to celebrate the legacy of a specific indigenous tree each year.

 He said this year, Rhus lancea, locally known as ‘Mosilabele’ has been chosen as the tree of the year.

 He noted that Mosilabele was popular in the southern part of the country for its various uses which include being a source of energy as people use it for firewood, and that it was a source of food for its edible fruits as well as an effective windbreak.

 Dr Tombale highlighted that during the national tree planting day, only indigenous trees were used in order to promote them, as it had been observed that they have the ability to withstand the harsh weather conditions prevailing in the country such as droughts and famine.

He said their chance of survival was greater than those of exotic tree species. Ends