The Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation (NEW-F) has planted 500 tree seedlings to tackle climate change challenges in Ogada-Edda and Ohatekwe-Edda communities in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
Executive Director of the foundation, Dr. Kelechi Okezie, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abakaliki.
He said the tree planting exercise was part of the foundation’s “Strengthening Local Advocacy Against Climate Change” (SLACC) programme aimed at promoting forest conservation and sustainable environmental practices in the state.
Okezie said the initiative mobilises community action against climate change while encouraging the protection of indigenous tree species and biodiversity.
“The communities donated land for the trees, showing their commitment to forest conservation. We urge them to nurture these trees for their economic, social, and environmental benefits,” he said.
The executive director, who decried the indiscriminate cutting down of trees in parts of the state, said that most trees had gone extinct.
He urged communities and governments at all levels to take concerted efforts against deforestation.
He said that the UN in recognition of the importance of forestry in maintaining biodiversity had designated March 21 annually as International Day of Forests.