By Ndefru Melanie in Bamenda
NW Governor, Adolphe Lele Lafrique has encouraged everyone to make an effort to plant one tree each, as away to fight landslides and protect the environment. It is in celebrating the International day of the Forest in Bamenda that there was a symbolic planting of fundamental trees at the Governor’s office.
This activity was carried out to mark World Forestry Day that was commemorated today Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the courtyard of the Governor’s office.
The Governor of the North West Region emphasized in the importance of tree planting and highlighted the value of trees and its products for environmental and human health.
“Trees are essential for livelihoods and nutrition, biodiversity and the environment, but immediate action is needed to protect and maintain these natural resources. Let’s create green spaces in both our urban and rural settings by planting more and more trees; one family, one tree each.”
Hosted by the Regional Delegation of Forestry and wildlife, NW, the event also underscored how the protection and sustainable management of the Region’s woodland areas needs to be a top priority given their crucial contribution to livelihoods, nutrition, biodiversity and addressing the impacts of the climate crisis.
“Through a concerted global effort, we can reduce deforestation and forest degradation, improve forest resilience, and enhance the ecosystem that is important for people and the planet,” he added.
Forests are a source of food and nutrition for the population of the Region and help adapt to and mitigate climate change, acting as buffers to heat and extreme weather events while absorbing and storing carbon.
They contain 50,000 plant species with healing properties and local communities around the world depend on them to treat a wide array of ailments. They also protect from diseases, acting as a natural barrier to disease transmission between animals and humans.
The event which brought together the administration of the Region, top military officials, Regional Delegates and other invitees to mark this world Forestry day.
According to the North West Regional Delegate for Forestry and Wildlife, Mr. Dongmo Rene, it is important we plant trees.
“We have planted 500 trees precisely eucalyptus, 300 on Bamenda Station hill to avoid any future landslides and also 200 ornamental trees to beautify the city. He further urged the mayors to come on board in the respective municipalities, not only to plant these trees but more to nurture and manage them effectively.”
“We need to scale-up and accelerate action, now, and together. We need strong commitments from governments, international organizations, the public and private sector, civil society, academia, and each of us individually. We need to enhance forest restoration through sustainable forest management that provides benefits for people and their communities”. the Regional Delegate of wildlife, Dongmo Rene.