Ecological conservation key to development

Ecological conservation key to development

Mongu, January 19, 2015,ZANIS—-The Forestry Department in Mongu district has intensified the tree planting exercise in public institutions to conserve the environment.

The department has distributed 120 seedlings of the Umbrella tree to Lyambai Teachers Training College for planting as part of efforts to encourage conservation of the environment.

The offer was part of the commemoration of the tree planting exercise conducted by the department which is observed every year on the 15th December and 15th January.

The annual celebration is aimed at creating awareness among people on the significance of preservation and conservation of natural resources.

Speaking at the official launch , Mongu Mayor Bright Tombi said forests should be fully managed because they were an important ingredient in sustaining life and balancing the ecological system.

Mr. Tombi noted that a protected forest would benefit Zambian citizens and the generation to come adding because forests were a renewable asset as opposed to minerals.

And Western Provincial Forestry Department Officer Samuel Mwabunga told ZANIS that the department has involved students from Lyambai Teachers Training College in the tree planting exercise because youths were the major drivers of the economy.

Mr. Mwabunga said it was important to bring students on board in such activities so that they would appreciate and be partners in the conservations of the forest.

Meanwhile, Lyambai Teachers Training College Principal Herbert Muyangwa thanked the Ministry for the gesture and urged the students to look after the trees.

The Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection commemorated tree planting day which was characterized by the planting of various trees along the Mongu-Lusaka road.