Plant a tree, Plant a life

Plant a tree, Plant a life

In light of the World Forestry Congress taking place in Durban, South Africa currently, SDCEA together with other organizations such as Timber watch and Civil Society Alternative Programme (CSAP) will be hosting a counter conference at Durban Botanic Gardens to highlight the issues that come from having fake forests (plantations) on our environment and nature as well as society and communities. This programme will run from the 7-11 September 2015 having local, national and international delegates sharing a platform with local representatives learning, sharing and building the movement of environmental justice by contesting to expansion of industrial tree plantations that destroy ecosystems and biodiversity, steal community land and resources, and impact on people's health through the pollution of land, rivers, wetlands, lakes, oceans and the air by the global timber, pellet, pulp and paper industry.

Whilst this is a global issue, bearing in mind its arbour month, some South Durban Primary schools have committed to support the campaign that plantations are not forests and with the assistance of SDCEA will demonstrate a poster display on trees and the environment on the 10^th September 2015 at 10:00am-11:00am to show their dedication and care for our environment and society. The primary schools that will participate in this activity are Assegai Primary school, Austerville Primary school, Collingwood Primary School, Durban East Primary school, Junagarth Road Primary school, M L Sultan St Marys Primary school, Gardenia Primary school, Nizam Road primary school, Parsee Rustomjee Primary school, Wentworth Primary School and Settlers Primary school.

As part of the CSAP, there will be an awareness walk from City Hall (263 Dr Pixley KaSeme (West) Street, Durban) to Speakers Corner (patch of grass opposite the entrance of the International Convention Centre (45 Bram Fischer Road, Durban)) on the 10^th September 2015 from 9:00am-12:30pm to highlight the issues concerned about the horrors of pollution, community destruction, our water resources and the destruction to our beautiful natural environment and why it’s so important to preserve and protect it for the good of humanity. Joining us apart from international delegates in this walk will be various high schools in Durban to show their support and commitment to conserving our environment.

Their schools commitment and involvement is immaculate considering the major issues that will affect South Durban such as the destruction of the Clairwood Racecourse we currently see happening that has destroyed the trees.

We encourage all citizens to join us on the 10^th September 2015 to show your support

Let us all stand in solidarity with one another for a better life and future for us all

For more information, please contact Desmond D’sa on 083 982 6939 or SDCEA offices on 031 461 1991