Agona Obosomase (C/R), Nov 20, GNA- Mr John Kwesi Agyabeng, District Chief Executive for Agona on Wednesday launched a tree planting exercise at which more than 500 different species of trees were planted.

The Project was organised by the Environmental Concern Citizens Association of Ghana in support of the President's Special Initiative (PSI) on Tree Planting and prevention of bush fire.

Mr Agyabeng expressed concern about the continued felling of trees in the district with out any attempt to replace the depleted forests.

He said it was the responsibility of the Assemblies in the region to protect and preserve the fast depletion of forests and its consequences.

He said communities, which are ready to plant trees would be assisted by the District assembly with logistics and trees to be planted to save the ecology. He commended the leader and members of the association for their consent and concern for the campaign.

Mr J.Y. Aidoo, National President of the Association announced that more than 2 million species have been supplied to four districts in the Central Region to be planted in schools and other public places.

The National President was however not happy about the fast felling of trees in the Assin Fosu, Agona, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa and Gomoa districts by illegal chainsaw operators and called on the security agencies to check them rather than condoning and conniving with them to destroy the forests.

He called on the government to create woodlot farms in every district to serve as a source of employment to the youth.