Botha-Bothe, Mar. 31– In a bid to commemorate tree planting day in Botha-Bothe, different ministries, schools, and the community planted 10 000 traditional trees at Sekubu in the Qalo No.4 constituency.
Speaking at the commemoration of the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs and international affairs Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane said for many years’ tree planting day was not celebrated like back in the years when it was taken to be a holiday allowing everyone to take part in the event.
He recalled that back in the years when everyone went out to plant trees but the trend changed over there years and tree planting became the responsibility of the government. He, therefore, indicated that the government is looking towards bringing the hype of the event back.
“We have heard that the community has complained that the trees planted during this event die soon after the event which is why we are now planting traditional trees. To the community please take care of the trees and make sure they serve the purpose they are meant for.
It is not enough for us to be planting trees that only protect the environment, we should also plant trees that will feed the people, especially now that we have seen how poverty has struck Lesotho. Line ministries please take note of the point and make sure that we give these communities trees so that they can be grown in their yards while we also on the other hand look for a place where we can have orchards.
Another point that I do not want to leave out is that we should also facilitate and make sure that traditional initiations schools are also tasked to grow trees since they use wood during the processes. Let us give them trees to also plant,” Mr. Mpotjoane said.
On the other hand, Member of Parliament for Qalo Constituency, Mr. Dada Jooma pointed out the trees have been planted at a place that they believe can be turned into a tourist place. He said Sekubu has a lot of beautiful caves which people can visit to see the beauty of the country.
He further pleaded with the communities to take care of the trees as he showed concern over the rate at which people destroy developments in their communities. He showed that those criminal acts should be stopped immediately as they cost the country fortunes.
One of the community members who took part in the planting of the trees, Maboitumelo Sekhesa shared his gratitude with the Agency and showed that the trees will come in handy as they will protect the soil from being washed away. She said in Sekubu many people depend on wood for cooking and warming themselves and these trees will help them a lot.
She promised to play her part in making sure that the trees are safe together with other community members as they understand their responsibility in protecting the environment.
She vowed to report those who will be seen causing damage to the trees.
The theme for this year’s international tree planting day is “Forests and Health” this is said to have been chosen because trees purify the water, clean the air, capture carbon to fight climate change, and provide food and life- saving medicines while also providing food and life.
