Tree-planting answer to deforestation
By DOREEN NAWADEFORESTATION is one of Africa’s vexing problems, with tangible effects ranging from soil erosion to contributing to climate change.
Yet in Zambia, statistics indicate a worrying rate of the phenomenon; an area of forest the size of a football pitch is cut down every 10 minutes for agricultural purposes, charcoal production and other commercial projects like construction.
Yet in Zambia, statistics indicate a worrying rate of the phenomenon; an area of forest the size of a football pitch is cut down every 10 minutes for agricultural purposes, charcoal production and other commercial projects like construction.
Statistics also indicate that Zambia loses an average 300,000 hectares of forests every year due to deforestation.
The national tree-planting programme (NTPP) the government has embarked on could be a panacea to the problem of deforestation.
President Sata last month launched an ambitious nationwide tree-planting programme which will see 25 million trees being planted countrywide.
Speaking at the launch in Chongwe’s Kanakantapa area, President Sata said that Government will additionally raise 11,000 tree seedlings for enrichment planting in forest concession areas.
In a speech read for him, by Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba, President Sata noted the economic potential of the forestry sector.
“With proper management and utilisation of trees, the forest industry has the capacity to turn the country’s economy into one of the most developed in Africa.
“Forests not only alleviate poverty by sustaining food and productive eco-system for agriculture and water development but also assist in the reduction of greenhouse gases which have led to global warming, resulting in climate change,” he said.
President Sata said Government has resolved to reduce deforestation caused by human activities by continuously planting trees.
Currently, Zambia’s deforestation rate is between 200,000 to 300,000 hectares each year.
However, government alone, in this tree-planting exercise, will not take the country too far and that is why President Sata recognises the need for the private sector to supplement Government efforts in addressing the problem.
The tree-planting programme without private partnership would likely not succeed. For this reason, President Sata commended Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)for embarking on a 100,000 tree-planting exercise in Chingola.
A Livingstone-based environmentalist Chiinga Siavwapa is elated by the programme, but also hastens to note that tree-planting should be routine and must be done by every citizen.
Mr Siavwapa says, “The tree-planting project that the president launched is not only about Government alone planting trees, but it should be for all of us. Let’s make tree-planting our habit in order to save our land.”
According to Mr Siavwapa, by involving community groups, local schools, and conducting tree planting at household level, Zambia will slowly change mindsets over the way they use their natural resources, forever.
Mr Siavwapa also says there is urgent need for government to put in place a policy to coordinate tree cutting.
According to Mr Siavwapa, “Tree-planting is not only a rewarding experience but also a great step toward improving and protecting the environment.”
Zambia is recognised as one of the top ten countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world. With this in mind, planting trees to replace the trees lost is an excellent response to this crisis.
Despite the important role of trees, deforestation is a growing global problem with far-reachinimg environmental and economic consequences.
Some international research indicates that forests still cover about 30 percent of the earth’s surface, but each year about 13 million hectares of forest (approximately 78,000 square miles) are converted to agricultural land or cleared for other purposes.
Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Wilbur Simuusa is impressed that forest officers have embarked on serious seed planting in various nurseries across the country in a bid to ensure that the tree-planting exercise becomes a success.
“Deforestation has many negative effects on the environment. The most dramatic impact is a loss of habitat for millions of species. Researches indicate that 70 percent of the earth’s land, animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes,” Mr Simuusa says.
At the current rate of deforestation, the world’s rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years.
Planting a tree, according to Mr Simuusa, is like investing in the future given the “environmental rewards” that trees provide.
The national tree-planting programme (NTPP) the government has embarked on could be a panacea to the problem of deforestation.
President Sata last month launched an ambitious nationwide tree-planting programme which will see 25 million trees being planted countrywide.
Speaking at the launch in Chongwe’s Kanakantapa area, President Sata said that Government will additionally raise 11,000 tree seedlings for enrichment planting in forest concession areas.
In a speech read for him, by Minister of Justice Wynter Kabimba, President Sata noted the economic potential of the forestry sector.
“With proper management and utilisation of trees, the forest industry has the capacity to turn the country’s economy into one of the most developed in Africa.
“Forests not only alleviate poverty by sustaining food and productive eco-system for agriculture and water development but also assist in the reduction of greenhouse gases which have led to global warming, resulting in climate change,” he said.
President Sata said Government has resolved to reduce deforestation caused by human activities by continuously planting trees.
Currently, Zambia’s deforestation rate is between 200,000 to 300,000 hectares each year.
However, government alone, in this tree-planting exercise, will not take the country too far and that is why President Sata recognises the need for the private sector to supplement Government efforts in addressing the problem.
The tree-planting programme without private partnership would likely not succeed. For this reason, President Sata commended Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)for embarking on a 100,000 tree-planting exercise in Chingola.
A Livingstone-based environmentalist Chiinga Siavwapa is elated by the programme, but also hastens to note that tree-planting should be routine and must be done by every citizen.
Mr Siavwapa says, “The tree-planting project that the president launched is not only about Government alone planting trees, but it should be for all of us. Let’s make tree-planting our habit in order to save our land.”
According to Mr Siavwapa, by involving community groups, local schools, and conducting tree planting at household level, Zambia will slowly change mindsets over the way they use their natural resources, forever.
Mr Siavwapa also says there is urgent need for government to put in place a policy to coordinate tree cutting.
According to Mr Siavwapa, “Tree-planting is not only a rewarding experience but also a great step toward improving and protecting the environment.”
Zambia is recognised as one of the top ten countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world. With this in mind, planting trees to replace the trees lost is an excellent response to this crisis.
Despite the important role of trees, deforestation is a growing global problem with far-reachinimg environmental and economic consequences.
Some international research indicates that forests still cover about 30 percent of the earth’s surface, but each year about 13 million hectares of forest (approximately 78,000 square miles) are converted to agricultural land or cleared for other purposes.
Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Wilbur Simuusa is impressed that forest officers have embarked on serious seed planting in various nurseries across the country in a bid to ensure that the tree-planting exercise becomes a success.
“Deforestation has many negative effects on the environment. The most dramatic impact is a loss of habitat for millions of species. Researches indicate that 70 percent of the earth’s land, animals and plants live in forests, and many cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their homes,” Mr Simuusa says.
At the current rate of deforestation, the world’s rain forests could completely vanish in a hundred years.
Planting a tree, according to Mr Simuusa, is like investing in the future given the “environmental rewards” that trees provide.
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