NFA CALLS FOR MORE TREE PLANTING

From tree-planting drives to tighter laws on illegal logging, countries worldwide are searching for a silver bullet to stop the loss of forests vital for nature and climate protection.

After decades of losing thousands of hectares each year, Uganda has found a way not only to slow deforestation but to reverse it – mainly by helping people grow their own trees to cut down instead of clearing ecologically valuable rainforest.

National Forestry Authority, in a bid once again to reduce pressure on natural forests by supporting communities to establish forest plantations on their private land. On average, NFA distributes 10M seedlings freely. This program helps communities access forest products such as fuel Wood energy, construction poles, commercial electrical poles, and timber without necessarily encroaching on forest reserves.

Protection of the world’s forests is seen as vital to curbing global warming as they store planet-heating carbon and help regulate the climate through rainfall and temperature.

Those who live in and around Uganda’s Central Forest Reserves, more than 500 protected areas that cover about 15% of the country, say tree loss has exacerbated the often disastrous effects of erratic weather patterns for communities.

Juliet Muubi the NFA spokesperson, says the institution operates 35 tree nurseries to enable individuals to access planting materials (seeds and seedlings) from towns nearest to them.