Tree planting in Cosmo City as part of national water week
Every year the Department of Water Affairs celebrates National Water Week in South Africa during the month of March, which also features World Water Day on the 22 March. The primary aim of the local campaign is to raise awareness about the role of water in social and economic development to motivate a change of attitude towards water use.
Recent statistics show that 1.4 billion people lack reliable access to clean drinking water,about 2.6 billion lack access to sanitation, and on average, a child dies every 15 seconds from waterborne disease.To draw attention to the water crisis and the need for clean and green environments in our cities, Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), will be distributing 2 500 trees to the residents of Cosmo City in Gauteng from 16 – 23 March as part of national water week. At these events, the importance of saving and harvesting water will be emphasised, and the use of mulch around trees and food plants to prevent evaporation, will be demonstrated.
FTFA has been planting trees with the community of Cosmo City since 2006 and the flourishing trees in the area show that the residents are caring for them well. It is hoped that with the existing trees, and those sponsored by the NLDTF, that Cosmo City will develop into a healthy green area with an urban forest canopy. The education campaign that underpins the Trees for Homes programme is spreading environmental awareness, and this includes the importance of the wise use and conservation of water.
(This story is courtesy of South Africa Good News. Used with permission. Visit them at http://www.sagoodnews.co.za)
