Forestry Conventions to Enhance Reforestation

"Tree planting is incumbent for shelter and the protection of the environment". That was the take-home message when the North West recently filed out to promote reforestation activities during a tree planting campaign.

The event in Bamenda featured lessons on the importance of reforestation with the Permanent Secretary in the governor's office, Absalom Monono Woloa, stressing the role of trees in the mitigation of Climate Change. The North West Region depends largely on the forest and forest products for sustenance. That explains the pressure on the forest with extensive deforestation activities, poaching and illegal exploitation.

It was against this backdrop that the Permanent Secretary saluted the efforts of the Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife for promoting the planting and maintenance of trees. It was also a rare moment for the Regional Delegate, Mbah Grace, to present forest regeneration activities of hope.

It also emerged from the event that the government counts on the civil society, councils and the population in the project of tree planting with a mission to ensure forest regeneration, stabilise and improve vegetation cover and develop urban forestry green cities.

The way forward was a partnership which featured the signing of conventions with some 19 councils, NGOs and CIGs. Beneficiaries took home financial assistance and sylvicultural equipment with the Permanent Secretary stressing the need for the efficient and judicious use of funds made available.

Absalom Monono Woloa had hard words for previous beneficiaries who cannot showcase any forest regeneration activities and urged the Regional Delegate to produce a report of delinquent beneficiaries for charges of embezzlement. Curtains dropped on the event with sketches and some tree planting in the premises of the North West Governor's office.