Pfutsero, July 11 (MExN): In line with their theme “Revitalizing God’s Creation” for the current academic year, the hostellers of Baptist Theological College, Pfutsero on two occasions in the month of June and July planted trees of local species (around 1500 saplings mostly alder and wild apple saplings) in Pfutsero – around NAP Camp, Glory Peak and Mission Compound. “We believe that one of the best ways to take care of God’s beautiful creation is through planting trees,” stated a press release issued by ZK Pahrü Pou from BTC.
Pahrü pointed out that many people under the influence of market forces are clearing large part of forest and planting just one type of tree that fetch good price in market. “Therefore, our objective is starkly differently from that of money-oriented market ideologues who propagate, ‘money grows on trees’ and who encourage mono-culture of tree plantation to earn money.”
Plantation of only one type of tree on a large scale in a particular area, he stated, disturbs ecological balance rather than regenerating the nature. “In our land, one can see large scale plantation of teak, pine, eucalyptus and rubber trees. Although we may be able to make the whole mountain look green by planting of a single species of tree, but in its truest sense, the definition of forest is lost because only one species of tree does not make a forest.”
He further lamented that today, development projects and state revenue demands are leading to destruction of forest resources more than by the needs of the forest dwellers. “More forest land was converted into national park and wild life sanctuaries. There are also strong commercial forces at work. For many people, forest is nothing but just a source of money-making industry and rampantly destroying forest for timber business.” In many hill areas, with unabated deforestation, he said, water sources are depleting threatening agriculture and fishing activities.
He asserted that conservation and preservation of forest is the need of the hour to provide security of life to all living beings. He also stressed on educating “our” people about the importance of protecting and conserving forests, soil, and water “if we are to survive and live healthy life.” He appealed to join hands in “revitalizing God’s creation.”
