Tropical Forest Alliance Wants Zero Deforestation by 2020
A platform known as Tropical Forest Alliance has called on all Sierra Leoneans to come together with the aim to minimize or totally stop deforestation/cutting down of trees but to divert their attention in planting tree crops like palm oil so that the environment cannot only be protected but the country may also be able to achieve “Zero Deforestation by 2020”.
Speaking at a brief meeting held on September 2nd 2018 at the Sierra Leon
A platform known as Tropical Forest Alliance has called on all Sierra Leoneans to come together with the aim to minimize or totally stop deforestation/cutting down of trees but to divert their attention in planting tree crops like palm oil so that the environment cannot only be protected but the country may also be able to achieve “Zero Deforestation by 2020”.
Speaking at a brief meeting held on September 2nd 2018 at the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board (SLPMB) headquarters office on Old Railway Line, Tengbeh Town in Freetown, the Managing Director SLPMC, Henry Y. Kamara maintained that the meeting aimed at disseminating information about the determination of the Tropical Forest Alliance which was established a year ago to achieve Zero Tolerance deforestation by the mentioned year above.
He described deforestation as caused by unethical production of crops among local farmers and emphasized on the manner in which many people cut down trees for Agricultural purpose. He emphasized on how planting trees like coffee and other tree crops have affected biodiversity.
He spoke on the important of sensitization among farmers to move from deforestation to afforestation and appealed to concerned authorities for the formulation of national principles that would guide investors to abstain from any activities that may cause harm among inhabitants in the environment.
He said the whole idea of the national platform which comprised thirteen members drawn from key stakeholders, Government, private sector Civil society and land owners is how we can grow our crops, maintained businesses and protect the environment.
He said serving as an advocacy to the side of Government and private sector is key among activities of the platform adding that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are the focal point for TFA 2020. He further stated that the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade should chair the platform meetings.
He described the platform as an inclusive approach to look at the ways to encourage palm oil production in the country and concluded by stating that the platform is a long term investment.
The Ag Director of Forestry, Alpha Umaru Leigh maintained that the Tropical Forest AlliaVnce has been playing vital role as far as the production of palm oil in the country is concerned. He stressed on the need to continue producing palm oil that would be acceptable in the international market.
Also the Health, Safety and Environment Manager, Emmanuel Koroma expressed similar sentiments.
By Abdulai Mento Kamara
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