The population of Southwest Cameroon, have been urged to plant more trees around their compound, so they can effectively connect to nature. The Manager of the Education for Sustainable Development Programme (ESD) at the Environment and Rural Development Foundation, Samuel Ngueping, was speaking Monday June 5, while celebrating the 45th anniversary of World Environment Day in Menji.

Speaking during a community sensitisation meeting organised by the Lebialem Divisional Delegation of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED)in commemoration of World Environment Day, the ESD Manager beckoned on the population to quit wanton felling of trees, slash and burn farming, and improper disposition of waste materials.

“Our planet is heating, our earth is warming. We should avoid cutting down trees. Trees help to moderate the carbon level on earth and also provide oxygen that we breathe. We should also avoid slash and burn farming as we destroy many microbes that help in stabilising our soil. In addition, let’s dispose our waste properly so we don’t get infected by the very things we throw away,” Samuel Ngueping cautioned the population.

On his part, the Lebialem Divisional Delegate of MINEPDED, Kanyimi Ihimbru said; “we can only connect to nature if we consider the flora around us as part of our living.” He urged the population to continue planting trees.

The occasion was marked by planting of some 500 agroforestry trees in GBHS Fontem, Lebialem Community Radio, and along the Menji road. At the Standard Nursery and Primary School premises in Menji, some weeding was carried out on a tree nursery created by the school’s environmental club under the auspices of ERuDeF Education for Sustainable Development Programme.

Lebialem Division is amongst the key localities in the South West Region of Cameroon having very rich biodiversity. This area contains threatened species of plants, animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and others.

By Ngueping Samuel