Coalition begins tree planting in C’River

A coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has embarked on a massive tree planting campaign in Cross River State to cushion the effect of illegal logging in the state.

The Green Concern for Development (GREENCODE), which led the campaign at select locations within the state capital, yesterday, chose edible plants for this year’s exercise.

Programme Officer for GREENCODE, Mrs. Ekei Joseph, stated the coalition’s concern about the devastating ecological effect of deforestation in the state.

According to Joseph, apart from ecological problems, which the state is exposed to by deforestation, their focus is to raise public awareness on the benefits of environment-friendliness through the planting of tree crops to complement the high rate of carbohydrate-based food, which is prevalent among our people.

On the choice of a worship institution such as St. Bernard Catholic Church, Marian Hill, Calabar, for the exercise, she noted the initiative would add aesthetic value to the church vicinity and attract people.

She, however, acknowledged that the ceremony coincided with the golden jubilee of the Country Environmental Director, Edem Okon Edem, currently on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the North East geo-political zone, in view of the devastating effect of the Boko Haram activities.