Environment ministry urges Namibians to plant more trees

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The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has urged all Namibians to plant as many trees as possible across the country.

This appeal comes as the country celebrates Arbor Day on Friday (14 October) under the theme ‘Forests and sustainable production and consumption’.

Arbor Day is observed in Namibia every year on the second Friday of October to raise awareness about the importance of trees and their preservation.

Arbor Day is being observed Friday in all 14 regions of Namibia by the ministry in collaboration with the private sector, public institutions and civil society organisations – each of which has organised an activity.

On this occasion, the ministry donated 4 000 seedlings to public institutions such as schools and local governments to be planted during the celebrations in their respective regions.

MEFT Executive Director, Teofilus Nghitila told Nampa on Friday that the second week of October is spring season and a good time to plant trees.

The ministry encouraged all Namibians to care of the country’s trees in order to achieve a greener and healthier environment.

“Let us all take this opportunity to reflect on our challenges, accomplishments and opportunities in tree preservation. This is also a good time to teach our children about the value of trees,” he added.

Nghitila stated that trees are important in general because they provide humans with oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil, provide a source of food and materials that people use as tools, and for shelter.

“On the other hand, clearing and disturbing trees would be disastrous because it would result in increased carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which would result in global warming,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency