Bolgatanga (Upper East), 29th April ?99 ?

Uncontrolled grazing, illegal mining (galamsey), bushfires, and non-availability of water are major problems hindering afforestation in the Northern and Upper East regions.

The two regions can, however, meet these challenges if farmers use the proper farming methods.

These were made known by final year students of the School of Forestry who have just completed a week's tour of forest plantation areas of the Northern and Upper East regions.

The trip afforded the students the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the vegetation of the regions as well as identify types of tree species which can survive the climate in these areas.

The areas visited included the Mole National Park at Damongo, which has the largest wildlife habitation in northern Ghana, Taimako Gardens, a private herbal plant nursery, and the Yendi Plantation, the biggest of its kind in the North.

Other areas the students visited were afforestation projects in the Bawku, Bolgatanga, and Navrongo as well as the Paga Crocodile pond in the Upper East region.

Mr Prince Neurtey, who spoke on behalf of the students, said that if environmental degradation caused by uncontrolled grazing, bush burning and mining activities were not properly checked, the two regions would be denied regular rainfall, with the resultant negative effect on forests in the area.

GRi?/