 Fighting Global Warming in Alex
The first of 1 000 trees has been planted during a ceremony in
Alexandra, part of a City Parks programme to beautify the township's
surrounds.
THE heat of early spring was a hot topic of discussion as the first
of 1 000 trees aimed at improving the township of Alexandra was
ceremonially planted by the region's director Yakoob Makda.
"It's only seven days into September and it's already so hot," Makda
noted during the City Parks' event at Jukskei Park on 7 September.
This, he added, was the result of global warming.
A thousand trees, donated by aviation logistic services provider
Equity Aviation, are to be planted in Alexandra during September –
Arbor Month – as part of a campaign to beautify the township's dry and
dusty surrounds and improve the lives of the local residents.
"The environment plays a significant role in our lives," Makda said
during the ceremony.
Ward councillors, representatives from Equity Aviation and staffers
from City Parks joined the regional director to plant the indigenous
tree, a common wild currant, in Jukskei Park, which is tended by City
Parks.
City Parks will continue with the planting trees of the remaining
trees, which will be placed along London Road and in the East Bank
area.
Alexandra is facing a huge challenge of space, according to Mvuselelo
Mathebula, the region's environmental manager for compliance and
monitoring, and the trees will help change the landscape of the area.
They would also increase the value of the properties, Mathebula added.
The township was a dry place and the trees will change the environment
and help improve the quality of the air, he added. "[Trees will also]
serve as windbreakers."
"We want the youth to grow, knowing about the importance of trees and
fresh air," said Equity Aviation's Herman Fleischmann, talking about
the company's involvement in community programmes.
Some 10 500 trees are to be planted around the city as part of Arbor
Month. Celebrations began on the first day of spring, 1 September.
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