Lira City ARCC Bonny Otucu Urges Tree Planting and Forest Conservation

Lira City ARCC Bonny Otucu has called on the residents of Lira City to plant trees and engage in activities that protect and conserve forest ecosystems. Otucu made this statement today at St. Paul in Ngetta, Lira City East Division, during the celebration of Forest Day organized by Gloford Uganda. This year's theme, "Forest and Innovation," highlights the essential role forests play in maintaining biodiversity, climate stability, and community well-being worldwide.

The event was attended by the communities of Ngetta and Ayago, where Gloford Uganda's HER Voice project is being implemented. The project aims to protect and regenerate Okole Swamp in Lira City East Division by 2025.

Otucu praised Gloford Uganda’s Executive Director, Dr. Morris Chris Ongom, for his efforts in combating climate change and preserving nature. He emphasized the importance of forests in sustaining life on Earth, noting that over 1.6 billion people rely on forests for food and fuel, and approximately 70 million people, including many indigenous communities, call forests home. Forests provide essential resources such as oxygen, shelter, jobs, and nourishment.

Otucu commended the Female Environmental Action Groups (FEAGS) based in Ngetta and Ayago for their vital role in promoting, protecting, and conserving the environment. These groups actively inform authorities about activities that harm the environment, such as waste dumping, alcohol molasses disposal, and defecation in the swamp.

During the celebration, an action plan was created to address these issues, with commitments from the City Clerk and City Health Inspector to work together with the community to ensure environmental conservation. Otucu also took the opportunity to educate the community about government programs like PDM, Emyooga, and GROW, urging them to seek accurate information to avoid exploitation.

Last month, a meeting at the same venue saw molasses distributors, distillers, the City Health Inspector, and the ARCC of Lira agree to relocate alcohol distilling activities to a designated area by August 13, 2024, to maintain environmental health. The event also included a tree-planting activity at St. Paul Primary School in celebration of Forest Day.