National Arbor Week (Iviki Lezihlahla) serves to promote
awareness for the need to plant and maintain indigenous trees throughout
South Africa, especially for the many disadvantaged communities who often
live in barren areas.
The theme for 2003, 'Trees are our heritage' embraces three aspects
in which trees enhance our lives:
- Indigenous forests provide a wonderful home for wildlife
and give us tranquil places to visit. Many of our people depend on the
trees and herbs of our forests for medicines and spiritual resources
- Forests provide jobs and economic opportunities for
many people in rural areas
- Trees in our cities and towns reduce noise levels
and help to make our homes shady and green.
Through Arbor week we intend to:
- Promote a better understanding of trees, particularly
indigenous trees
- Highlight the important role trees play in sustainable
development and the livelihoods of people and their environment
- Encourage communities to participate in various greening
activities within their own surroundings
- Raise awareness of South Africa's urban greening initiatives
The Chief Directorate Forestry is responsible for the
National Arbor Week campaign. The mission of the Chief Directorate is
to provide an enabling framework for the sustainable development and management
of plantations and indigenous forests, and particularly to support the
use of state forests and associated resources by poor communities.
Forests form an important part of South Africa's natural resource base
and make a significant contribution to the economy. The Department of
Water and Sanitation plays a key role in developing managing and
regulating the country's forest resources. The Chief Directorate of Forestry
manages commercial and indigenous forests, offers community forestry services
and provides the policy and regulatory framework for the sector as a whole.
The Department's forestry function consists of six directorates - Forestry
Policy and Strategy, Technical and Information Services, Participatory
Forestry, Forestry Support, Forestry Transfers and Forestry Regulations.
It has regional offices in King Williams Town, Pietermaritzburg and Nelspruit
as well as area offices throughout the country.
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