Namibians urged not to cut down trees
Namibians have been urged not to cut down trees to reduce deforestation and improve food security in the country.
In an effort to reduce deforestation as a means to promote sustainable livelihoods of rural forest-dependent communities, Arbour Day was celebrated in Namibia on Friday.
The day, celebrated under the theme 'Plant trees to mitigate climate change and improve food security' this year celebrated the jacket plum (Pappea capensisas) the Tree of the Year.
The tree is widely used for its edible fruits which are used to make jellies, alcoholic beverages and vinegar.
According to agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb the aim of the day is to sensitise all citizens about the importance of planting and conserving trees, promoting tree planting and nurturing planted tree seedlings for local, national, regional and global benefits.
He said it is estimated that the earth's total forest area continued to decrease at about 13 million hectares per year. However, over the past 25 years the rate of net global deforestation has slowed down by more than 50%.
“Globally, major challenges of deforestation are unsustainable agricultural practices, conversion of forests into commercial plantations, livestock ranching and crop fields as well as unsustainable logging, infrastructure expansion and urbanisation.”
He said there are many inter-related links between forestry and food security which can be divided into three categories including; environmental, production, and socio-economic factors.
Environmentally, the effects of trees are most easily seen at the farm level, where they can play an important role in improving the microclimate, reducing the damage caused by wind, protecting against soil erosion, and restoring soil productivity, and maintaining hydrological systems.
!Naruseb said in terms of production, the most direct connection between forestry and food security is the food items produced by trees.
He said for the poor, and also for women, these are often one of their only sources of cash income. Moreover, wood is an affordable major renewable energy source that provides the world with more energy than solar, hydroelectric and wind power. It accounts for roughly 45% of current global renewable energy supply.
ELLANIE SMIT
In an effort to reduce deforestation as a means to promote sustainable livelihoods of rural forest-dependent communities, Arbour Day was celebrated in Namibia on Friday.
The day, celebrated under the theme 'Plant trees to mitigate climate change and improve food security' this year celebrated the jacket plum (Pappea capensisas) the Tree of the Year.
The tree is widely used for its edible fruits which are used to make jellies, alcoholic beverages and vinegar.
According to agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb the aim of the day is to sensitise all citizens about the importance of planting and conserving trees, promoting tree planting and nurturing planted tree seedlings for local, national, regional and global benefits.
He said it is estimated that the earth's total forest area continued to decrease at about 13 million hectares per year. However, over the past 25 years the rate of net global deforestation has slowed down by more than 50%.
“Globally, major challenges of deforestation are unsustainable agricultural practices, conversion of forests into commercial plantations, livestock ranching and crop fields as well as unsustainable logging, infrastructure expansion and urbanisation.”
He said there are many inter-related links between forestry and food security which can be divided into three categories including; environmental, production, and socio-economic factors.
Environmentally, the effects of trees are most easily seen at the farm level, where they can play an important role in improving the microclimate, reducing the damage caused by wind, protecting against soil erosion, and restoring soil productivity, and maintaining hydrological systems.
!Naruseb said in terms of production, the most direct connection between forestry and food security is the food items produced by trees.
He said for the poor, and also for women, these are often one of their only sources of cash income. Moreover, wood is an affordable major renewable energy source that provides the world with more energy than solar, hydroelectric and wind power. It accounts for roughly 45% of current global renewable energy supply.
ELLANIE SMIT
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article