01 Dec 2022

Ghanzi residents have been urged to plant more trees in their homes, community projects and government institutions to provide for future needs.

The plea was made by Deputy District Commissioner for Ghanzi east sub-district, Mr Mosipidi Mokgolele during a tree planting day on Tuesday.

Mr Mokgolele said the tree planting exercise, which was first launched in 1985 under the leadership of former president, the late Sir Ketumile Masire, was as a result of an increase in over-exploitation of forest and range resources and deforestation in the country.

He said there was therefore, urgency to address the situation for sustainable use and conservation of bio-diversity.

“These two factors, in conjunction with uncontrolled or not well-managed wildland fires and adverse climatic conditions, as well as an increase in human and wildlife populations, had also put more pressure on forests and range resources,’’ he stated.

He said this year, the district had planned to plant 390 or more trees.

He said this year’s the theme: “Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption,” emphasized the importance of sustainable use and conservation of forest and range resources for food and other uses.

Mr Mokgolele said one of the objectives to commemorate tree planting day was to create public awareness on the importance of trees and forests and to promote their conservation and sustainable use as well as to deliberate on issues of climate change.

He emphasised that that the community dependence on forest and range resources dictated that they use them wisely, if they wish to achieve sustainable use.

He said this year, the Department of Forestry and Range Resources, decided to promote the planting of indigenous tree species and fruit trees for diversification and to promote the establishment of agro-forestry projects.

He said indigenous tree species were adapted to the local environment and could withstand the harsh environmental conditions.ENDS