Perseverance primary school host tree-planting activity |24 March 2016

A tree-planting activity took place earlier this week at the Perseverance primary school.

Organised by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the activity was to commemorate the World Day of Forests which is an annual event highlighting how trees and forests sustain and protect life on earth.

This year’s World Day of Forests is to raise awareness of how forests are essential to the earth’s supply of freshwater.

Around 40 Barigtonia Asiatica or ‘Bonnen Kare’in Creole were planted on that occasion at the school. The plants were sponsored by the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA).

Students from P1 to P6 in the Eco School Club and Wildlife were excited to save the environment by planting trees.

Present at the event were the principal secretary for environment Alain Decommarmond, the head teacher of the Perseverance primary school Bernadette Maria, among other guests and students.

PS Decommarmond stated that such activity will benefit the earth, combat climate change, clean the air and also provide oxygen.

“The purpose of the International Day of Forests is to make people aware of the importance that forests play in our life, and Seychelles also depends on forests to be able to survive. We have at least 40,700 hectares that are considered as forests, 47% of which are protected, but we have planned to increase it to 50%,” he said.

He added that every year 10,000 trees are planted through different activities that are organised in the country.

Head teacher Maria added that forests play a key role on planet Earth.

“Trees are vital; as the biggest plants on the planet, they give us oxygen, store carbon dioxide, stabilise the soil and give life to the world’s wildlife. They also provide us with the materials for tools and shelter,” she added.

During the ceremony there was also a presentation by the principal forestry officer in the forest department, John Quilindo, on the importance of keeping the forests fresh. A pupil also recited a poem.

One of the most critical ecosystems on our planet, forests cover a third of the continents and act as the lungs of the planet by producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. More than 1.6 billion people rely on forests for their needs and forests are home to more than 80 percent of land-based plants and animals.

But forests around the world are under threat from deforestation, jeopardising these benefits. Deforestation comes in many forms, including fires, clear-cutting for agriculture and development, unsustainable logging timber, and degradation due to climate change.

The accompanying photos show pupils and guests planting trees during the ceremony