Forestry Services replants more forests in Ashanti

Kumasi, Feb 24, GNA - A total of 5,230 hectares of degraded forests in the Ashanti Region have been restored under the National Forest Plantation Development Programme.

Mr. Isaac Noble Eshun, the Assistant Regional Manager of the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission (FC), said this involved the planting of 5,810,485 indigenous and exotic tree species.

Some of the species, he said, are 'Emere', Mahogany, 'Ofram', Teak and Cedrela.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Kumasi, he said the replanting was carried out between year 2010 and 2013.

This was done in eight forest districts - Bekwai, New Edubiase, Nkawie, Offinso, Mampong, Kumawu, Juaso and Mankranso.

He said the FSD was doing everything to ensure that the trees were properly nurtured and maintained.

Mr. Eshun said they were determined to put more of the denuded forests under plantation and pleaded for support of all stakeholders.

He said it was important for the people to combine their efforts to protect the forests and stop activities fueling the depletion of the forest and its resources.

He made reference to the erratic rainfall pattern in recent times and said that should be a wake-up call to everybody.

Mr. Eshun encouraged the development of plantation and said Ghana should take advantage of the United Nations (UN)-led initiative, 'REDD plus' (Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) where developing countries were to earn revenue based on the amount of carbon dioxide extracted from the atmosphere with the aim of controlling global warming.

Ghana could earn revenue if more trees were planted to absorb the gas, he said.

Mr. Eshun complained about the destructive activities of illegal miners, farmers, chainsaw operators, and herdsmen and said decisive action must be taken to stop them.

GNA