Two billion trees in 16 years not enough

By Editor

Editorial cartoon

The argument put forward by the Deputy Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Ummy Mwalimu in Parliament this week to the effect that more than 1.8 billion trees have been planted in the past 16 years and therefore deserves merit is to say the least unimpressive.
She was reacting to a question posed by a legislator who had wanted to know the number of trees planted since the campaign started and the benefits that have been accrued so far.

We are saying the augment was unimposing because it appears the deputy minister was trying to impress the lawmakers that her ministry has done a commendable job that merited accolades. We say that the deputy minister’s submission would have carried weight if at all she had availed comparative data showing the number of trees had been mowed down over the period under review.

This means that if the number of trees cut was lower compared to that planted then this would substantiate the deputy minister’s claim.

Going by simple mathematics planting two billion trees in 16 years means that every year some 112,500,000 trees were planted.

In a densely tree populated area that amount can only occupy a few square ha. This means that the said 1.8 billion would only occupy an area not more than that of the smallest district in the country—Ilala probably.

This means therefore that the number of trees planted in the past 16 years that has earned much kudos is just a drop of ink in the ocean.

Unfortunately the statement by the deputy minister has come barely a fortnight after the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism stated that the government was in the process of allocating portions of forest reserves to cater for shortage of desks in districts having shortage of desks. This means therefore that if there were enough trees planted as stipulated by the deputy minister, there would never arouse the need for district councils to disturb the forests.

These means also that the trees planted during the 16 years were not enough to cater for the needs of the population.

Tanzania is estimated to have 33.5 million ha of forests and woodland. Out of this almost two-thirds consists of woodland and public lands which in many cases lack proper management.

We are seeing public land being under enormous pressure from expansion of agricultural activities and livestock grazing, fires and other human activities.

Although there is not reliable data on deforestation estimates range between 130,000 and 500,000 ha per annum. The main reasons for deforestation are clearing for agriculture, over-grazing, wildlife, charcoal burning and over exploitation of wood resources.

We are also seeing deforestation taking place through encroachment in forest reserves.

As long as bio-energy is the main source of fuel for the rural population accounting for 92 percent of the total energy consumption in the country, the indiscriminate cutting of trees would go on unabated unless a massive campaign on afforestation is put in place.

We are of the opinion that the ‘cut a tree, plant trees’ campaign must be given vigour. In actual fact we should instead plant trees before cutting them.