CI-NEWS

Reforestation of Yaounde: City mayor launches forest museum project.

2020-06-16

No: 504

Reforestation of Yaounde: City mayor launches forest museum project.

A project to replant trees under extermination in the town of Yaounde has been launched.

The launching ceremony took place on Saturday June 6, 2020 by the Yaounde City Mayor, Luc Messi Atangana, in the presence of local authorities at the Olezoa neighbourhood. At the Olezoa site opposite the Trois-statue junction, some 93 tree were planted to kick-start a project to plant some 2, 000 trees at the spot. The event was in line with the World Environment Day, which was commemorated on Friday June 5, on the theme “Celebrate Biodiversity”.

The day is meant to raise awareness and action for the protection of the environment. The City Mayor, Luc Messi Atangana, said with one million species of trees facing extinction, there has never been a more important time to focus on biodiversity than now. He noted that the ceremony was the start of a long-term project for the reforestation of the town of Yaounde in different places. At the Olezoa site, Mayor Messi Atangana explained that the council wants to create a forest museum, which will contain all the types of trees which used to exist in the city of Yaounde, and which are dwindling into oblivion. The forest museum is expected to grow some 2 000 plants in the future. But for the launching ceremony, 93 trees from six different species amongst which Moabi, Ebene, Azobe, Iroko, Bubinga and Wenge were planted.

While lauding the support of partners such as the National Agency for the Support of Forestry Development (ANAFOR) for making available a sample collection of all the local tree specimens that were planted, Messi Atangana said in future, the Olezoa zone will become a research forest opened to the public for visiting or other purposed. The Head of Cooperation Division at ANAFOR, Narcisse Mbarga, said Cameroon has signed the convention of biodiversity as well as the protection of endangered species all in a bid to preserve and conserve biodiversity, ensure the sustainable use of its components and to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. Within its duties, Mbarga said they are assisting the City Council in respecting the norms in reforestation as they hope to develop and beautify the town of Yaounde as well as creating a reservoir of seeds from local trees. The project, he cited, will enable future generations know the types of trees that once occupied the country especially the town of Yaounde.

Father Yannick Mvogo from the Mary-Queen of the Apostles Basilica of Mvolye Parish was on hand to bless the project.

Culled from Cameroon Tribune.

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Reforestation of Yaounde: City mayor launches forest museum project.