23 Nov 2017

Efforts to halt deforestation have been identified to be vital in mitigating impact of climate change.

The South East District education officer, Ms Roseline Serumola said this during the district’s tree planting day held at Otse on November 22.

"Tree planting reduces the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity, which are part of the common heritage," she said.

Ms Serumola stated that tree planting was aligned to the sustainable development goals which aimed to ensure nutritious and sufficient food as well as to conserve and restore the use of terrestrial ecosystem such as forests.

She stated that the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) had undertaken to mobilise the whole world to plan and increase the number of trees on earth.

Therefore, she commended schools that had established Environmental Clubs adding that the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism in collaboration with the then Ministry of Education and Skills Development had initiated schools tree planting programme.

“Its aim was to sustain environment through tree planting and objectively integrating environmental education into formal education system through creating models of environmental responsibility at educational institutions,” she added.

Ms Serumola also said that tree planting should address environmental education and protection, food security, conservation and soil erosion among others.

Furthermore, she encouraged the community to develop a habit of planting trees and desist from cutting down trees.

Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism district coordinator, Ms Theresa Molefe said the district tree planting initiative aimed to increase public awareness and education on the importance of tree planting on especially indigenous trees as they are drought resistant.

The event aimed to spread the message of conservation of endangered species and sustainable production of wood, veld products and non woody forest products.

Ms Molefe further said it was also to protect the environment against natural disasters including the effects of degradation, soil erosion and drought.

Further, she added that tree planting could also improve the socio-economic conditions of rural and urban populations as well as reduce pressure on wood land and forest through bad harvesting and tree destruction.

Also, Ms Molefe pleaded with the community to commercialise tree planting initiatives such as backyard tree nurseries.

The event was commemorated under the theme, 'Forests and Water, Sustaining Lives and Livelihoods.’ ENDS