Schools challenged on tree planting
Apr 18, 2024
Effects of heat on the body, according to health experts, include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and, in extreme cases, heat stroke. Others are kidney problems, skin infections, eye damage, and preterm birth among expectant mothers.
A pupil receiving a tree seedling from Agaba to plant during celebrations to mark International Forest Day at NaFORRI in Kabembe, Mukono
Prossy Nandudu
Journalist @New Vision
___________________ An example of agro forestry in Busiu, Mbale district
In the second week of March, South Sudan closed schools and sent learners back home. The move was aimed at protecting children from unbearable heat from the sun. Later, the extreme heat was declared a heat wave by experts in weather predictions from The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).
According to weather experts, extreme higher temperatures are only declared a heat wave if the temperatures remain constant at between 25 to 42 degrees Celsius for some time before changing.
According to ICPACs’ March-May temperature outlook, warmer than average temperatures were to be experienced all over the region with the highest temperatures over Sudan, northern South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and southern areas of Tanzania.
Although the extreme heat would be in the mentioned countries, Uganda, too, suffered the spillover consequences, because the Sun was moving towards the Equator and the global heat winds were moving through countries along the Equator line, increasing the higher temperatures in Uganda for two weeks.
The other reason for the heat across the IGAD region, according to weather prediction experts, was also due to dry and hot winds in Somalia, that were blown towards other East African Community countries, including Uganda, hence the higher temperatures, among other explanations.
Effects of heat on the body, according to health experts, include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and, in extreme cases, heat stroke. Others are kidney problems, skin infections, eye damage, and preterm birth among expectant mothers.
Lessons to Ugandan schools
Following the closure in [South Sudan], children returned to school this week (April 2). That is why tree researchers, both local and international, now want schools in Uganda to take the lead in environment conservation through tree planting.
According to Dr Erik Francis Acanakwo, the Uganda Country Representative of The Centre for International Forestry Research (ICRAF), because of the younger population, interest in environmental conservation at a younger age should be prioritised.
“These young people interact with natural resources daily at home, school, and in their recreation spaces.
We should sensitise and give them information when still young to share their future decision-making processes,” Acanakwo said.
He made the remarks while speaking on the sidelines of celebrations to mark International Day of Forests 2024 at the National Forestry Resources Research Institute in Kabembe on Kayunga Road on Thursday.
The day that was established by the 23rd General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture in 1971 is celebrated every March 21 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
It is aimed at creating awareness among the public about the importance of trees. This year, the day was celebrated under the theme, Forests, and Innovation: new solutions for a better world. For the youth in schools whom Acanakwo said to depend on biomass such as trees for cooking, they should be given information packed with innovations and solutions that protect trees and the environment in general.
“We should package the information showing the benefits of using innovations such as energy-saving stoves and biogas because these are future leaders. With the correct information, these can make decisions that favour the environment,” he explained. Acanakwo added that by the 1990s, forests had shrunk by 24%. This, however, improved in 2015 to 10%, and now the recovery rate of forests is said to be at 13%, which is an improvement.
Carbon dioxide absorption
Because of the increase in temperatures in the atmosphere, Dr Hilary Agaba, the director of the National Forestry Resources Research Institute under NARO, clarified that all trees can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
However, the capacity differs. “As trees make their food, they attract carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen in the atmosphere. We have conducted research in the past to understand the carbon intake of different tree species so the belief that only traditional trees take in carbon dioxide is wrong,” he said.
Agaba added that all types of trees should be planted provided the soil testing is conducted and planting space is observed because all trees, by nature, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. However, the more the trees planted, the more carbon absorption.
“So, we encourage planting as long as people are guided on how to plant them. Some people think that you can plant a tree anyhow anywhere, but working with our institute, you will get all the guidance needed to plant trees,” he said.
Revive environment clubs
To schools, Acanakwo called for the revival of environment or nature conservation clubs to teach learners the dangers of deforestation and show them the available solutions for conservation.
That is when students can gather additional ideas, such as the creation and maintenance of green spaces in schools.
“It is important for schools to be covered in green. The green environment gives a shade that can protect students from extreme temperatures — but also reduce the placement of concrete pavers in the school compound,” he added.
Acanakwo advised schools with small compounds to be creative by, for example, planting an organised way like an avenue. This can be from the school gate to the administration block and from the members of the public to gather information from experts such as researchers in the forestry sector.
According to Dr Hilary Agaba, the director of the National Forestry Resources Research Institute under NARO, agroforestry is a science where trees are deliberately integrated on small pieces of land, together with crops and animals.
He explained that research has identified trees that can be intercropped with crops, to give off products like fi re-wood, poles for construction, and sometimes fix nitrogen in the soil.
For families with limited space like one acre, Agaba advised the careful selection of trees so that only trees with deep roots can be intercropped.
This will ensure that there is no interference with the root formation of food crops, such as bananas and coffee.
He added that where 80% of the population uses biomass for cooking, those with small spaces should plant trees like grevaria robusta, which gives off firewood, charcoal, timber for furniture and construction, farm tools, fodder, and bee forage.
Calliandra, which grows faster, provides quality feeds for livestock, fuel wood, stakes, poles, and also bee forage. Others are Cordia africana and Albizia coriaria, among others.
Agaba also advised that spacing is key for better results when planting trees. For example, on the boundary of a piece of land, a tree like grevaria should be planted with a spacing of 10x10 [ft?] to make pruning easy. administration block to the dining room, to the classrooms.
The other option is to plant trees at the school boundaries instead of wall fences. This will not only enhance the beauty of the schools but also increase the tree cover in the long run.
Tree planting at home
While at home, Acanakwo advised parents to embrace initiatives such as agroforestry and show them to students.
To learn more about the innovation, he advised schools and members of the public to gather information from experts such as researchers in the forestry sector.
According to Dr Hilary Agaba, the director of the National Forestry Resources Research Institute under NARO, agroforestry is a science where trees are deliberately integrated on small pieces of land, together with crops and animals.
He explained that research has identified trees that can be intercropped with crops, to give off products like firewood, poles for construction, and sometimes fix nitrogen in the soil.
For families with limited space like one acre, Agaba advised the careful selection of trees so that only trees with deep roots can be intercropped.
This will ensure that there is no interference with the root formation of food crops, such as bananas and coffee. He added that where 80% of the population uses biomass for cooking, those with small spaces should plant trees like grevaria robusta, which gives off firewood, charcoal, timber for furniture and construction, farm tools, fodder, and bee forage.
Calliandra, which grows faster, provides quality feeds for livestock, fuel wood, stakes, poles, and also bee forage. Others are Cordia africana and Albizia coriaria, among others.
Agaba also advised that spacing is key for better results when planting trees. For example, on the boundary of a piece of land, a tree like grevaria should be planted with a spacing of 10x10 [ft?] to make pruning easy.
Schools heeding the call
The above initiative has already been embraced by St Soteri Junior School in Mukono, which uses energy-saving stoves and also teaches children the importance of tree conservation.
Led by the school director of studies, Parick Opio, they take advantage of events such as forest days or environment-related celebrations to take children to such places to interact with experts in conservation spaces.
“We brought these children to learn about the hazards of deforestation and how to restore forests in their homes or schools. We want them to be ambassadors beyond school because this is a Primary Seven class that can understand whatever they are taught through these celebrations,” he said.
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