Deforestation: Expert Prescribes Massive Tree Planting

A former director in the
Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Fred Nwochocha has called on government at all levels to intensify efforts in the planting of trees across the country to counter the effect of felling trees.
Mr. Nwochocha, who spoke to our correspondent in Port Harcourt over the weekend said the rate at which trees were planted was not commensurate with the way they were being felled across Rivers State in particular and the country in general.
He said the number of forest guards manning the forests were not enough to counter illegal felling of trees and called for a pro-active measure to check the anomaly.
According to him, in time past, two forest guards were posted to man a specific area of the forest but regretted that today, the reverse was the case.
Nwochocha, who was a Director of Forestry said in the fresh water forests, trees like mahogany, abura amongst others that were not likely to be killed by water planted after felling.
While hailing various tree planting campaigns carried out by the governments at various times, he, however, frowned at the non-sustainance of such campaigns.
He said in some African countries, there were some NGOs that work with foreign organisations that supply them with seedlings favourable to the climate of such countries.
He said such ventures were yielding positive results to the flora of such countries even as he urged authorities in Nigeria, especially the federal and states ministries of agriculture and its counterpart to explore such areas of collaboration to ensure that the environment regains its natural looks.