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By Elvis Dumba
People with Disabilities have led in the observation of national tree planting day in Banket.
Kind Matope Chairperson of Banket PWDs led in the event by planting a tree at Sacred Heart High School where he urged residents to preserve the remaining few trees around Banket.
Matope who said their constituency has been largely sidelined in community activities took the tree planting day in encouraging residents to be environmental friendly whilst demonstrating that disability does not mean inability.
“We took the initiative to demonstrate that as disabled citizens we can significantly contribute to community engagements and at the same time raising awareness on the importance of preserving the community by promoting afforestation,” he said.
Dr Gugulethu Tarakini of Research and Education for Sustainable Actions said the current climate change induced weather patterns currently being experienced were as a result of vices such as the wanton cutting down of trees.
“Of late we have been witnessing climate change becoming a very contentious topic around the world and here in our communities we are observing how the weather patterns are changing. We have lost many trees as residents have continued to destroy trees for various reasons but unfortunately the rate in which the trees are being destroyed doesn’t match the number of trees being planted,” she said.
Dr Tarakini’s organisation is involved in promoting indigenous tree planting and research and has partnered various schools and communities in promoting growing of traditional indigenous trees.