Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Authorities in Western Equatoria State target to plant over one million trees this year as part of the government’s effort to combat climate change.
“This is a national program in which we, together with our partners, decided that 100,000 trees should be planted in each county because the people of Western Equatoria love green environments, and we will extend our joy to other states so that we leave in a green, conducive, and protected environment,” said Alison Barnaba, the state minister of agriculture.
He spoke during the launch of a tree-planting campaign in Yambio over the weekend.
The exercise is a collaboration between the state ministry of environment and a local organization, Climate Action South Sudan.
“Today we have launched a historical event as the beginning of the point to tell the whole world that we are in solidarity with the Earth Day celebration,” said Alison Barnaba, the state minister of agriculture.
He said the government and partners will be moving into rural areas to support and educate the public on the importance of planting trees.
“This is one of the state ministry’s strategic plans to plant 100,000 trees within Western Equatoria.”
There are ten counties in Western Equatorial State.
The government is currently formulating a policy that will compel anyone who cuts down one tree to plant five trees.
However, he noted that the ongoing road construction in the area has led to the destruction of the ecosystem.
“We have decided with our partners and well-wishers as the government to replace all those mango trees starting from our border in Tapari to Kubri Boo bordering Western Bahr el-Ghazal,” he said.
“We have also started to lay agroforestry nurseries in the ten counties so that we can distribute to our farmers, communities, and individuals to cover the entire Western Equatoria.”
The launch was held at Yambio State Teaching Hospital, with the planting of trees within the hospital premises by the pupils, and government officials.
Meanwhile, the Program Officer for Climate Action South Sudan in Yambio Waru Moses Emmanuel said the program aimed at educating the young generation to conserve the environment.
He highlighted the need to protect the environment by stopping deforestation and degradation which is so rampant in South Sudan.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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