By Abibatu Dora Kamara
One of the most credible and trusted mail and logistics companies in the world, DHL, in trying to complement the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone, has planted more than 500 trees in York Village to help protect the environment.
The planting exercise, which was done in collaboration with the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, attracted the attendance of DHL Sierra Leone staff, Headman and villagers of York Village.
DHL – Sierra Leone, acting Country Manager, Alphonso Pratt, said “the world community has set a goal to limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius. As DHL the leading Mail and Logistics Company, we intend to make our business sustainable. Our goal is to reach zero emissions by 2050”.
He said that: “We are motivating our employees, customers and suppliers to get involved in climate protection initiatives and support a more sustainable economy and society”, further adding that the forest resources of Sierra Leone are being destroyed at an alarming rate to meet demand of the growing population for food production, mining and wood for cooking purposes.
Mr. Pratt reiterated that over population and clearing of land for agriculture, mining and constructions etc. has extreme effect on the climate and causes natural disasters. These have serious consequences such as biodiversity loss, which increases greenhouse gas emissions and reduces water resources and increases soil erosion.
In the Western Area, while felling primary forest for charcoal trade, stone mining and forest clearing to make way for housing construction are the significant causes of deforestation which remain the biggest threat to biodiversity conservation, he maintained.
The acting Country Manager stated that globally, “the transport sector is considered to be one of the most polluters of the environment and as an entity engaged in this sector; it deemed it fit to contribute to the reduction of Green House Gases (GHG) by engaging in tree planting”.
In his appreciation remarks, the Headman thanked DHL Sierra Leone for the strides they have made to choose their village for the tree planting exercise.
He assured the company that the community will do their best to monitor the growth of the trees.
