14 Nov 2016

Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism through Department of Forestry and Range Resources will commemorate the National Tree Planting Day at Gweta on November 26.

A press release from the ministry says the event themed: Forests and water: Sustaining lives and livelihoods, is aimed at raising awareness on the importance of trees and forests in conserving and availing quality water, which is essential for life.

The tree of the year is Maerua Angolensis, locally known in Setswana as Morekiti.

"It is by maintaining and providing high-quality freshwater that watershed areas have a pivotal role in the earth’s ecology and contribute significantly to the wealth and welfare of human societies," it says.
Botswana national tree planting programme started in 1985 with the aim of raising awareness on the importance of all types of forests and trees outside forests.

On this commemorative day, a call is made to all Batswana to plant trees to achieve sustainable environmental management. National Tree Planting Day provides a platform to commemorate the value of trees and forests to the society. BOPA