Let’s be more serious about forest protection – Forest manager
The Winneba District Forest Manager of the Forest Service Department, Mr Ernest Nkansah Kwarteng, has said more serious actions must be taken by all stakeholders towards protecting the forest.
He said the forests, as natural resources, help every individual in diverse ways in his livelihood so everyone must actively help to preserve it.
However, these resources God endowed us are dwindling at a faster pace threatening their sustainability and the future of mankind.
Mr Nkansah Kwarteng, therefore, stressed the need for Ghanaians to pool their resources to protect these resources.
Mr Kwarteng, who was speaking at a forum organised by the Central Regional Forestry Services Commission for community forest committees, chiefs and other stakeholders drawn from seven districts under the Winneba Office.
Mr Kwarteng mentioned the conservation of soil and water bodies, carbon sequestration, modification of the micro climate and ecotourism as some of benefits derived from the forest.
The District Forest Manager said despite the various benefits man derived from the forest many of our activities pose threat to the forest and its resources.
These activities include illegal logging (chain saw operations) illegal mining, stone and sand winning, causing bushfires and over exploitation of the forest and its resources.
He mentioned desertification, climate change, increased erosion, destruction of the natural habitat of animals and birds and flooding as some of effects of the illegalities.
To turn things around, he called for the enforcement of laws that protect the forest with intensive education against the destruction of the forest.
Mr Kwarteng also called for the formation of Community forest Committees (CFCs) and Community Biodiversity Advisory Groups (CBAGS) to get involved in the replanting of destroyed forest.
The participants appealed to the government to commit more funds to the Forestry Department to enable it carry out public education about the dangers of the destruction of forest covers.
Source: GNA