Kato (B/A), Aug 1, GNA- The Brong Ahafo Regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the chiefs and people of Kato in Berekum Municipality on Friday planted 1000 species of tropical seedlings to help conserve and protect the Mfensi Sacred Grove.

This formed part of activities marking the regional celebration of World Environment Day, that was under the theme, "Plant a Tree, Reduce Global Warming", coined from the global slogan, "Kick The Habit!-Towards A Low Carbon Dioxide Economy".

Pupils and students of Kato Community Roman Catholic Junior High School also assisted in the planting of the mahogany, okure, framo, akyee and prono seedling.

The activity was mainly focused on the planting of tree seedlings in degraded portions of the grove to secure the grove's boundaries to prevent further encroachment and also to make it less prone to wildfires.

Mr. Isaac Osei, Acting Regional Director of the Agency, said the celebration was to "highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and lifestyles such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy resources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption".

He noted that climate change evolving from global warming had been the result of greenhouse gases emission that tended to trap the sun's heat that would have radiated back into the atmosphere. Mr Osei said the excess of carbon dioxide gas emissions was creating problems as they brought about diseases, negative effects on agriculture and water bodies, rise in the sea level and the occurrence of natural disasters such as hurricanes, among others. He commended efforts made by the traditional authorities at Kato to conserve the grove, which he said contributed significantly to the reduction of global warming.

Other benefits to be derived from the sacred grove, Mr Osei said were revenue generation through tourism, enhancement of biodiversity, source of potent medicinal plants, the establishment of a research centre and a unique micro climate for the Kato community. He proposed the formation of a sacred grove management committee that could comprise chiefs, opinion leaders, unit committee members, assembly members, officials of the EPA and the Municipal Assembly to ensure the growth of the planted tree seedlings, prevention of bushfires and the introduction of rare species into the grove. The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, called on the people to conserve the grove for posterity. Nana Kwaku Nyameamer, Akwamuhene, appealed to government to continue to provide support for the sustenance of the grove and the area's environment.