Vision Group's tree-planting campaign inspires pupils
The campaign in which NFA provided 1 million tree seedlings to be planted in different parts of the country is part of a series of activities to mark 30 years of Uganda’s leading media organisation.
Fauzia SalimSome points never quite easily get home. Until you see them through the prism of a young innocent soul. Fauzia Salim is only 13 years old- a primary seven pupil at Kiswa primary school in Nakawa division.
She claims to have heard a lot about trees and the benefits of planting and watering them. But never really got a chance to undertake the exercise her self- until yesterday. " We have learnt a lot about trees in class," she said, but never got to understand the process of planting, watering them and nurturing them."
It was therefore a life lesson for her when she got to participate in a tree planting and watering session on Wednesday as Vision Group in partnership with the National Forest Authority (NFA) launched a national tree planting campaign.
The campaign in which NFA provided 1 million tree seedlings to be planted in different parts of the country is part of a series of activities to mark 30 years of Uganda's leading media organisation.
Four trees were planted at the school in a campaign launched by Vision Group CEO Robert Kabushenga and the NFA executive director Michael Mugisa. Salim who hopes to join St. Kizito SS for her secondary education says she will apply the practical lesson learnt from the NFA experts at home and also share the knowledge with her friends.
Before taking the pupils to the planting grounds, Michael Mugisa taught the pupils and their teachers about the importance of trees.
A pupil happy to be part of the tree planting
He said trees were our best friends because they provide shade, oxygen, nutritious fruits and also purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Mugisa later said this exercise was important not just for the students but also for the entire nation.
Robert Kabushenga counseled the pupils to value trees and learn how to plant and protect them, because without them our environment will be very dry and very uncomfortable."
The head teacher Aisha Namaganda Ntege challenged the pupils to learn more about tree planting and share the knowledge with their parents back home. She also promised to water the planted trees and ensure that they grow very well.
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Okujaguza emyaka 30 egya New Vision, Kabushenga atongozza okusimba emiti 1,000,000
What other pupils said:
Emmanuel Watsusi, 14, P7: This exercise has opened my eyes to the dangers of cutting tree. I will continue to support preservation of trees because I have understood that they are important to our survival.
Nicole Kirabo Praise, 12, P7: Iam pleased to have participated in this tree planting exercise. I have learnt that trees need to be cared for; that as we need to grow, the trees too need to grow.
Fatia Musenero, 10, P7: Vision Group has not only provided information, it has also shared important knowledge through NFA on our environment. Trees bring rain and without it our country will be in danger. I thank all that have made this possible.
Facts on Forest
- Forests contributed 8.5%of Uganda's GDP in 2009.
- Total annual consumption of wood is estimated at 33 million tonnes.
- Timber consumption for housing stands at 400,000m3 per annum (construction and furniture) and growing by 10%per annum. This is equivalent to about 1,200,000m3 of saw logs.
- It is estimated that at the current rate of harvesting of approximately 6000ha of existing commercial plantations, there will be an acute shortage of timber on the market soon.
- For the harvest to be sustainable, Uganda needs an established 200,000ha of plantations, of which at least 6000ha should be mature trees ready for harvest per annum and translated over the years.
Why Forests are important
- Forests release oxygen and absorb carbondioxide, one of green house gases that trap the heat escaping from the earth surface into the atmosphere.
- Forests act as catchment for water bodies such as lakes and rivers. The hydro-electric power produced along the Nile would be compromised if forests are cut down.
- Forests are habitats for wildlife, which attracts tourists.
- Forests also protect water bodies from siltation and also ecologically fragile areas, particularly the mountainous areas.
- Forests are important for cultural heritage and they are home to indigenous communities such as the Batwa in the west.