Tanzania: Tobacco Company Offers Seedlings

Source from:  Daily News  07/19/2013

ALLIANCE One Tobacco Tanzania has pledged to provide more tree seedlings to Geitasamo Primary School in Serengeti District to replace the initial batch which has dried up because of the prolonged drought.

The tobacco firm had earlier given the public school hundreds of tree seedlings that were planted in the school compound, but some trees have dried up due to intense heat which is also feared to be threatening food security in the Lake Zone region.

Every pupil was detailed to take care of two trees at the old public school with 793 pupils of whom 380 are girls and 413 are boys. "You have been doing a commendable job in taking care of these trees but, unfortunately, bad weather has let some of you down," Alliance One Tobacco Tanzania (Mara Leaf) Manager, James Gichuche, told the pupils.

He was speaking shortly after inspecting the trees, accompanied by the Company's Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Hamis Liana. Teachers and local leaders also took part in the event. "More than 70 per cent of the trees have survived and are thriving despite the dry spell.

We are going to bring more trees to replace those which have dried up," Mr Gichuche said. His announcement was welcome by the pupils most of whom hail from poor families in the wildlife rich district of Serengeti. The tobacco firm supports a massive tree planting campaign in various parts of the district as part of it's initiative to conserve and protect the environment.

A large part of Serengeti District remains green as compared to localities in other districts in the lake zone regions. Natural trees are still seen scattered in villages despite charcoal burning activities. Officials estimate that more than 70 per cent of the district consists of game protected areas that form a greater part of the Serengeti eco-system. Enditem