Dzita (V/R), June 6, GNA - The need for a massive cultivation of mangroves in the Keta area, formed the high point at a ceremony marking the Volta Regional World Environmental Day at Dzita in the Keta District of the Volta Region.

The plan is to replenish the environment, create economic returns for the people, as wood products and fine-tune the ecosystem as breeding grounds for fish species.

Four local groups, who are to plant about 100 acres of marshy lands in the area with mangroves by the end of this year, were given incentive items such as Wellington boots and cutlasses by the organizers of the Day.

The event with the theme "Don't Desert the Dry Lands Or Wet Lands" was co-organized by the Green Earth Organization (GEO), a Ghanaian NGO, the Wildlife Association of Ghana and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Mr Kofi Ahiabor, Keta District Chief Executive (DCE) said that the estimation that the world would be left with no rain forest by 2030 due to human activities and growing decline in the biological and economic productivity of the soil, were issues of great challenges to man. He asked the people to avoid cutting down the mangrove forests and other trees, stop the bad fishing and farming methods and reckless waste disposal.

Miss Annie Mensah Abrampah, Project Officer of GEO deplored the degradation of wetlands in parts of the country, particularly in the Dangbe-East District and called for the replenishing of those places with mangrove cover for an eco-balanced and enhanced economic activity. "Your activities here and that of others elsewhere, combined to affect the world environment every where," Miss Abrampah said. Togbe Ahoney Akliku, II, Volta Regional Director of EPA said the deserts are also important and told the people to respect all in nature, adding that, extreme rains and heat being experienced interchangeably now could be reversed with the replenishing of the earth and the stoppage activities that disturb the environment.