Whindo (W/R), March 03, 96 GNA - Mr. Daniel Donkor, Plantations Manager of the Forest Services Division (FSD) in-charge of the Western and Central Regions, on Friday said some forest reserves in the Western Region are under threat of extinction because of encroachment. He was speaking at a durbar on afforestation organized by the Takoradi branch of the Ladies Club of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) at Whindo near Takoradi.

Earlier, members of the club had undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Whindo Metropolitan Assembly Primary School to commemorate the country's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Mr. Donkor said large portions of forest resources at the Bodi, Manzan and Tano Ehuru forest reserves have been destroyed and some parts of the reserves have been converted into cocoa farms. He said the FSD is re-planting trees in the reserves and about 2000 hectares have been re-planted with the involvement of communities around the reserves.

Mr. Donkor said trees re-planted at the Tano Ehuru forest reserves were completely destroyed by encroachers.

He appealed to chiefs, assembly members and opinion leaders in communities near forest reserves to team up with the FSD to prevent the establishment of new farms in the reserves. Mrs Cynthia Buabin, President of the Club, said members planted mahogany seedlings along the river Whine and teak, cacia and tree species on the compound of the primary school and in the Whindo community.

She announced that the Chief of Whindo, Nana Esi Essien 111 who presided, had donated land to the club for afforestation. Mrs Buabin said the Club is also undertaking an afforestation project at nearby Asakae.