By Mulengera Reporters
An environmental pressure group is in preparations to plant three million trees in the Acholi sub-region in six months. The group, Ribbe Pi Paco-RPP, was formed in February 2023, to advocate against the rampant tree-cutting in Acholi Sub-region, following a surge in tree-cutting to feed the growing trade in charcoal.
Samuel Odonga Otto, the leader of RPP, revealed that through their activities, they have come to the conclusion that at least 40 percent of trees in the sub-region have been cleared for charcoal burning. The group now intends to approach institutions such as schools and churches and plant 20 acres of trees in each of those institutions.
Odonga Otto, however, appealed to environmental experts to join hands with the pressure group and give ideas on how to reforest the indigenous trees such as the shea nut trees that are almost extinct. He cites that there are organizations in Nwoya district that are already re-cloning shea nut trees, to help replace those that have been cut.
He added that much as the government has plans to reforest the country, the group will continue will their plan privately, but urges that tree cutting should stop forthwith, otherwise, the reforestation plan will have no meaning.
Early this month, Otto and a group of vigilantes were accused of severely injuring three charcoal businessmen, looting money, and vandalizing their vehicle in Atanga Sub-county, Pader District. He was charged with robbing 380 bags of charcoal and two counts of aggravated robbery and is out on police bond.
But Otto said those are trumped-up charges initiated by leaders who think his campaign against deforestation is intended to win political favor and influential army officers benefitting a lot from the trade. He said the charges will not deter him from fighting to end massive-tree cutting in the Acholi sub-region.
Wilson Oyat Chagga, a member of RPP, said they are already in the process of establishing structures in the villages to oversee the plan to reforest the sub-region not only with indigenous trees but fruit trees as well.
The group has identified the most affected areas by the charcoal business as; Layima, Lakang, and Apaa in Amuru district. Palaro, Owalo, Paibona, and Owor sub-counties in Gulu district. Awere, Lapul, and Angagura sub-counties in Pader District, and Adilang and Parabongo sub-counties in Agago District-URN (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at [email protected]).
