Government has singled out bushfires and dry spells as major factors contributing to the decreased survival rate of trees planted under the tree planting initiative.
Tangu Tumeo, Principal Forestry Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources, made these concerns.
According to Tumeo, in the ongoing 2023/2024 tree planting season, set to end in April, an estimated 34 million seedlings are expected to be planted.
Tumeo, speaking to MIJ Online, underscored the collaborative efforts of government field officers with communities, who she said they are urging citizens to refrain from uncontrolled bushfires and to avoid grazing animals in areas recently planted with tree seedlings.
Tumeo stressed that these actions will positively impact the survival rate of trees.
Despite these efforts, Tumeo said the ongoing threat posed by the El Niño weather phenomenon, putting trees at risk of dry spells.
To address this challenge, she stressed the importance of developing strategies for harvesting rainwater to ensure adequate watering for the trees.