The Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation (NEW-F) has planted 500 tree seedlings to tackle climate change challenges in Ogada-Edda and Ohatekwe-Edda communities in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in Nigeria.
Dr Kelechi Okezie, Executive Director of the foundation, who made the disclosure in an interview on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Abakaliki, said the tree planting exercise was part of the foundation’s “Strengthening Local Advocacy Against Climate Change” or SLACC programme aimed at promoting forest conservation and sustainable environmental practices in the state.
Okezie said the initiative mobilises community action against climate change while encouraging the protection of indigenous tree species and biodiversity.
“The communities donated land for the trees, showing their commitment to forest conservation. We urge them to nurture these trees for their economic, social, and environmental benefits,” he said.
The executive director, who decried the indiscriminate cutting down of trees in parts of the state, said that most trees had gone extinct.
He urged communities and governments at all levels to take concerted efforts against deforestation.
Okezie said that the UN in recognition of the importance of forestry in maintaining biodiversity had designated March 21 annually as International Day of Forests.
“This day is recognised annually to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests and to promote their sustainable management, conservation and development.
“There should be a commitment to protecting the environment; a local tree called “akparata” in one of the communities has gone into extinction due to the activities of Chinese people who deceived the people in cutting and selling to them this hard wood.
“Today, the akparata tree is no longer seen in any part of the community and same is the fate of most other local trees in many of our forests,” he added.
Okezie also spoke on the 2025 World Environment Day, which is observed annually on June 6, and called for the protection of the environment.
He urged the people to shun activities likely to cause environmental abuse, degradation, and pollution.
By Douglas Okoro