Burkina Faso Environment Minister Touts Benefits Of Reforestation

Marking World Day of Desertification and Drought, Burkina Faso's environment minister on Thursday urged the public to take actions in favor of forestation.

"To mark our adherence and support to this global initiative, I invite the people of Burkina Faso to plant trees in safe spaces, create conservation areas, green our cities, develop multipurpose gardens, and protect our forests," said Simeon Sawadogo.

The West African nation will create green jobs for economic recovery through its commitment to restore 5.16 million hectares of degraded land, he said.

"Protecting and restoring nature is an economic asset for post-COVID-19 recovery. As countries allocate large sums of money to address the economic impact of COVID-19, they have an opportunity to invest in this natural capital," he added.

He called nature-based solutions "a key component of a green approach that contributes to economic recovery."

Sawadogo also stressed the need to minimize the economic and environmental burden faced by future generations.

"Low-carbon and climate-resilient investments generate much higher economic benefits than investments in traditional infrastructure and fossil fuels," he explained.

"As we face the immediate impact of COVID-19, we cannot further weaken the foundations of our environmental ecosystems that underpin our economies and sustainable development. Instead, we must look to a more resilient future for all," he added.

According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the forestry sector plays an important role in this West African country, economically, socially, and culturally, yet annual deforestation is 40,000-60,000 hectares compared to an annual reforestation of 1,100 hectares.

One-third of the territory of Burkina Faso or more than 9 million hectares of productive land is degraded, with an estimated progression of about 360,000 hectares a year. -