19 Sep 2019

Lobatse Town Council has set in motion a tree planting initiative with the aim of making the town environmentally greener and combating effects of climate change.

The council leadership through the mayor’s working committee, rolled out the initiative on Wednesday morning by planting 12 trees at Peleng Park.

The event was held under the theme; Adapting to Climate Change by Creating a Greener and Cleaner Lobatse.

Lobatse mayor Ms Malebogo Kruger, explained that growing of trees could mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on human beings such as rising maximum temperatures and increasing occurrence of floods.

Ms Kruger said her council was committed to playing a meaningful role in climate change adaptation by encouraging the community to plant more trees in their neighborhoods.

“As leaders we have found it fit to showcase that we are at the forefront of climate change adaptation and mitigation. We want to showcase our commitment by planting these trees,” she said.

The mayor said through participating at various international conferences on environmental conservation, she realised that climate change was a real threat to humanity.

“Climate changes causes severe floods and heat waves.

Things have changed as you see. Planting trees would help us because they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turn it to oxygen which we breathe. This is why we say trees promote life,” Ms Kruger said.   

She further urged the community to preserve forests around the town.

She said council was mulling the idea of establishing a community based committee on forest management in all 12 council wards in Lobatse to assist in preservation of trees.

Lobatse town council clerk Ms Boikhutso Matenge called on the community to plant, care for and conserve trees as a way of promoting a greener and cleaner Lobatse.

She said planting trees would help to uplift the quality of the environment in the town.  

Peleng customary court deputy president Mr Modise Senyarelo applauded the council for the initiative. Mr Senyarelo therefore urged the community to follow the council example and plant trees in their homes.

Lobatse umbrella development committee chairman Mr Phemelo Masisi urged all civic leaders in the town to support the initiative by encouraging the community to plant trees and conserve the environment. ENDS