ROOTs campaign gets 3.2million tree seedlings boost

The Running Out Of Tree(ROOTs) campaign between the Ministry of Water and Environment and private sector stakeholders led by Uganda Breweries has got a boost of 3.2 million seedlings.

The 3.2 million seedlings were donated by Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise (METGE) as part of the efforts to replenish the environment.

“This campaign approach involves adopting restoration strategies to fit local social, economic and ecological contexts and a wide range of eligible technical strategies for restoring a mosaic canopy of trees on the national landscape by making a contribution to relevant national aspirations,” said Alfred Okidi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment.

He noted that the campaign is built around engaging local stakeholders in attaining national restoration goals, through increased public awareness and participation with the aim to rally Ugandans especially the private sector into action in the conservation and protection of indigenous tree species.

According to the Ministry of Water Permanent Secretary, the campaign aims at fast-tracking national restoration goals and commitments that will see 2.5 million hectares of degraded forest landscapes restored by 2030 as well as restoring forest cover of a total land area to 24 percent.

Okidi noted that the tree planting is already ongoing following the rainfall calendar across the country.

“Trees will systematically be mapped for species, GPS location and planter to ease monitoring, maintenance, transparency and most importantly accountability. The planted trees will be mapped and that information relayed and stored to our central portal to enable real-time reporting and technical support teams to periodically follow up and support the maintenance,” he said.

“The planting has been spread to limit mass gatherings but the trees planted will be counted as part of the national tree-planting celebrations.”

He welcomed Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise (METGE) on board.