By Anzoo Evaline

Stakeholders in Adjumani District have cautioned residents to take deliberate action in restoring the environment through tree planting, warning that continued environmental degradation could worsen the effects of climate change and threaten livelihoods in the district.

The call was made during a tree planting and environmental restoration activity held at Elegu Central Primary School in Arinyapi Sub- County.

The event brought together district leaders, environmental activists, development partners, teachers, pupils, and community members under the theme, “Climate Action Begins with You, Act Now.”

Speaking during the event, the District Environment Officer, Amadra Sabino, emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a reality already being experienced by communities across the district and the country.

“We are saying climate change starts with you act now. The impacts of climate change that we see everyday, rain is coming a bit in excess. We also see if there is a dry spell, it moves for a longer time,” Amadra said.

He noted that changing weather patterns have become more evident in recent years, with prolonged droughts and excessive rainfall affecting agriculture, water resources, and the wellbeing of communities. He urged residents to become active participants in environmental conservation by planting and nurturing trees around homes, schools, institutions, and public spaces.

Environmental conservation advocates also highlighted the growing pressure on natural resources in Adjumani, particularly due to increasing population demands and dependence on forest resources for energy.

Amanzuru William Lesion, Team Leader of Friends of Zoka, said the environmental challenges facing Adjumani require urgent attention from all stakeholders.

“For you to understand the magnitude of environmental challenge in this district, you must put in mind how the district is hosting refugees plus other people who are in this district. But also, you need to look into how energy sector is being addressing the district. That gives you a better magnitude to understand what it means to talk about environmental abuse,” he said.

Lesion further expressed concern about increasing encroachment on protected areas, especially the Zoka Central Forest Reserve, which is internationally recognized for its unique biodiversity.

“But then also encroachment inside gazzeted areas like Zoka Central Forest Reserve that currently seems to be the bank gene for wild coffee across the country but also across the world. Apart from the wild coffee, it also has wild rice. It has flying squirrels, blesses for serene and all these. This magnificent future that has been gazzeted some years back is facing a lot of resistance from destructions,” Lesion added.

He stressed that protecting forests such as Zoka is critical not only for biodiversity conservation but also for maintaining ecological balance and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Adjumani District, Wambi Richard, attributed much of the environmental destruction to human activities and irresponsible practices that have led to the loss of tree cover and environmental pollution.

“Because of the human character, human practices, we have destroyed the environment by cutting all the trees, throwing all the cover everywhere, the bottles, and we have affected the environment. And it is now us to get the effects of what we did to the environment. That’s why Adjumani and other places are very hot, and this is very unfortunate,” Wambi said.

He noted that communities are already experiencing the consequences of environmental degradation through rising temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions.

“So, we are here to demonstrate that we need to restore the environment. And this is the responsibility of everybody beginning with me and you,” he added.

Wambi urged residents not only to plant trees but also to ensure that the trees survive and grow to maturity.

“We want to request that everybody takes seat up on themselves to ensure that on any basis you grow a tree don’t just plant,” he said.

The Resident District Commissioner of Adjumani, Toko Swaib, encouraged residents to embrace fruit tree planting as a practical solution that can simultaneously address environmental, economic, and nutritional challenges.

“My advice to stakeholders and every other person around here is that as we are embarking on this tree planting, I want to encourage the population also to plant more of fruit trees because when we plant fruit trees, we are addressing three issues at a time go,” Toko said.

“When we are planting the fruit trees, we are addressing the issue of environment, we also addressing the issue of house or income as well as addressing also nutritional issues. So, I want to encourage the population to continue this exercise.”

The RDC further urged communities to reduce dependence on natural forests for survival and instead adopt sustainable alternatives that can help conserve remaining forest resources.

“And most importantly, let’s also encourage our communities from disease on the dependence of the natural trees of forest as life,” he added.

During the exercise, participants planted a number of tree seedlings within the school compound as a demonstration of the district’s commitment to environmental restoration. Teachers and pupils pledged to take responsibility for nurturing the trees to ensure they survive and contribute to improving the local environment.

Stakeholders emphasized that restoring degraded landscapes requires collective action from individuals, institutions, communities, and government agencies. They called on every resident of Adjumani to take personal responsibility for protecting the environment by planting trees, preventing deforestation, properly managing waste, and safeguarding protected forest reserves.

As climate-related challenges continue to affect communities, leaders believe that tree planting remains one of the most effective and affordable ways of restoring ecosystems, improving livelihoods, and securing a healthier environment for future generations.

Under the theme “Climate Action Begins with You, Act Now,” stakeholders said the time for action is now, urging every household to plant and grow trees as a lasting contribution toward environmental restoration in Adjumani District.

END.