At least 225 thousand seedlings of several native species, mainly chanfuta, canhueiro, micaia and mecrisse, will be planted this year, in Maputo province, for reforestation.
The assurance was given Sunday by the Maputo province governor, Júlio Parruque, in the locality of Changalane, Namaacha district, in the wake of the celebrations of the International Day of Forests.
Parruque said that the province has an installed capacity to produce about 480 thousand seedlings for this year and, according to the plan, to reforest 300 hectares, with the purpose of recovering the devastated areas.
“Our vision regarding the preservation of forest resources is to exemplarily combat all forms of devastation and uncontrolled burning. Thus, we plan to produce just over two million seedlings and reforest 1,500 hectares, during the five-year period 2020-2024,” he said.
The commemorations of this date in Changalane, as mentioned by Júlio Parruque, are justified by the fact that this part of the province has suffered a marked devastation of forest resources caused by the unregulated exploitation for obtaining firewood and charcoal.
Thus, according to Parruque, urgent actions are needed to change this scenario and recover the biodiversity that is, in part, the source of life. On the occasion, he mentioned that forests are a valuable renewable natural resource, generator of multiple goods and services of major importance for the environment, economy, and improvement of the quality of life of communities.
He also said that by commemorating the date, there is a need to strengthen reforestation and implement actions aimed at the conservation of resources, with emphasis on the preservation of native forest species, fauna and combating uncontrolled burning.
In Maputo province, according to Parruque, there is a great devastation of forest resources caused by uncontrolled burning, itinerant agriculture, growing urbanization, among other factors.
“We appeal to rural communities and community leaders to be aware of the importance of forests as a source of wealth. It is necessary to ensure that their management is sustainable, in order to serve the current generation and also future ones,” he stressed.
The governor made the opportunity an occasion to exalt the role of communities in the use, conservation, and sustainable management of forests, raising awareness and sensitivity about the relationship to be had in those who depend on them.
