Three northern region lose trees at alarming rate

Kumbungu (N/R), Aug 27, GNA - The Northern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mr. Abu Iddrisu, has said about 22,000 hectares of trees were cut down annually in the three northern regions resulting in land degradation, climate change and abject poverty due low crop yields.

"The poor are often tempted to exploit the natural resources to meet their immediate livelihood thereby depleting these resources and destroying the very base on which they depend on which perpetuate poverty and suffering", he said.

Mr. Iddrisu was addressing the regional celebration of World Environment Day at Kumbungu in the Tolon/Kumbungu District.

The event, which was well patronised, was under the theme; "Your planet needs you - unite to combat climate change".

Mr. Iddrisu urged the people to plant trees as a major environmental enhancement measure to minimize environmental degradation, improve soil fertility, increase crop yields and reduce poverty.

He said it was an erroneous belief that when one plants a tree he/she would die adding that on the contrary tree planting was an important component of the environment and must be done with all the seriousness it deserves.

The Regional Director of the EPA said EPA was collaborating with the Tolon/Kumbungu District to supply 6,000 seedlings of cassia, albizia, mango and neem to be planted and nurtured in the district and the exercise would be replicated in all the other districts in the region.

The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Steven Sumani Nayina, called on the people of the north to collectively take action to change the prevailing worsening environmental conditions in the area.

He appealed to all the districts in the Northern Region to develop two acres of multipurpose plantations in their respective districts to inculcate the culture of tree nurturing and stimulate the interest in tree growing.

The District Chief Executive for Tolon/Kumbungu District, Mr. Iddi Manza Mahama, said most of the trees in the area were cut down for fire-wood, cleared for farming, persistent bush burning, illegal chainsaw operation among others were the major reasons for cutting trees.

Dakpema Naa Mohammed Dawuni, the Chief of Tamale, urged the people to unite and fight hunger and poverty instead of wasting their energies and resources on conflicts.

GNA