SEMBABULE – A new environment initiative code-named ‘My Tree Initiative’ (MTI) with the aim of promoting fruit tree planting in schools and conservation of the environment has been launched in Mawogola County in Sembabule district.
The initiative will also help combat climate change through empowering primary and secondary school students to become environmental stewards by bringing them closer to the benefits of trees.
Schools have been identified in Mawogola North County where School Food Forest Gardens will established to boost food production.
Further ‘Green Clubs’ will be established in schools to serve as platforms that engage students in green activities and mobilise them to take up meaningful environmental leadership roles.
MP for Mawogola North County, Shartis Musherure officially launched fruit tree planting in schools, saying fruits are nutritious but can also provide fresh air. She urged the residents to continue planting trees to conserve the environment.
”We want our children to grow up and become healthy citizens with secure livelihoods,” she said, adding one of the urgent needs is to ensure that children stay in school and acquire knowledge and skills that are relevant to their lives and environment.
Rev. Samuel Matovu, the head teacher of Sembabule Church of Uganda Secondary School said the tree planting initiative would help to restore the green environment in schools.
Meanwhile, residents said Sembabule district is highly affected by the prolonged drought spell because of forest destruction by those who burn charcoal.
Bills Magunda, a resident of Lugusulu said claimed the district forest officials have continued to give licenses to those who cut trees for charcoal burning.
They also attributed the rampant forest destruction to the high cost of electricity. They have asked government to reduce the costs if the destruction of forests is to stop.
According to a report from the district forestry department, The district has a total forest cover of over 20,000 hectares in size but the forests have been cleared where 80 percent of the gazetted forest reserves have been cleared for settlement cultivation.
Also, about 5734 hectares of Buyaga Dam Forest Reserve in Lwebitakuli Sub-county, and Kazooba Forest Reserve [895hactares] in Ntuusi Sub-county have been depleted of their tree species and the whole land has become bare.
Francis Byarugaba, the Sembabule district environment officer said they are implementing the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003 to save traditional tree species that are currently at great risk, though he claimed that politicians have contributed to deforestation.
https://thecooperator.news/saving-chimpanzees-govt-urged-to-be-strict-on-conserving-forests/
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