Human development is determined by state of environment - DCE

Tongo (U/E), June 10, GNA - Mrs Vivian Anafo, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Talensi-Nabdam said human survival and development was largely dependant on the state of the environment and called on all to get involved to protect the environment. She made the observation during this year's World Environment Day celebration marked by the district at Tongo in the Upper East Region at the weekend.

Mrs Anafo said under her administration, environmental issues would be among her top priorities and that conservation of the environment and sensitization programmes for tree planting would be primed. She emphasized that estate developers, heads of departments, institutions and public residential facilities in the district would be mandated to promote environmental conservation by planting trees and embarking on other related issues to address such problems. Mrs Anafo advised the people to keep their water bodies clean and plant trees around them and warned fishermen who fished with poisonous chemicals to desist from the practice since it was dangerous for human consumption.

Mr Alhassan Fuseini, District Co-ordinating Director, said the assembly would mobilize the youth, associations and clubs in the area to plant trees around structures, market places, parks and social centres to ensure a green environment.

He stated that environmental education campaign would also be vigorously pursued through schools, traditional authorities and religious groups to inculcate in the people the values of good environmental practices.

Mr Fuseini gave the assurance that the assembly was prepared to support all green activities aimed at preserving the environment and warned those who were fond of burning bushes to desist from the practice because they would be prosecuted.

He said the assembly would soon come out with bye-laws and strictly enforce them to deal with people who abused the environment. Mr Abota Walter, District Environmental Officer said the district would require about 5,000 trees in the long term to attain a green environment. 10 June 09