Wenchi (Brong Ahafo), 9 Oct.,

Mr Adom Owusu-Ansah, Deputy Agriculture Extension Officer for Wenchi District has called on Parliament to enact punitive environmental laws to deter people from abusing the environment. He said the present environmental laws are not severe and this has encouraged people to carry out activities such as setting fires to bushes and causing serious damages to the environment and property. Mr Owusu-Ansah was speaking at Nkonsia, near Wenchi yesterday at a durbar organised by the Pioneer Tobacco Company (PTC) to mark Arbor day. He called on district assemblies to set up anti-bushfire committees to educate people on bushfire prevention methods and assist the police to enforce environmental laws. Mr D.K. Dankwa, PTC station supervisor for Wenchi urged timber firms, charcoal burners and the public to plant trees to check desertification. He said the company has now made it mandatory for its farmers to establish woodlots alongside the cultivation of tobacco to boost afforestation. The chief of Droboso, Nana Twum Ameyaw who also stressed the importance of tree planting said it is now a big business and must be embraced by all. He said there are huge economic returns on cashew, teak and other tree plantations which must be exploited by communities and individuals.