Trees Are A Public Asset
WHENEVER I see a bulldozer near a tree, my hackles rise.
So when I saw the photo on the front page of The Namibian of
November 25 last year showing the two camel thorn trees destroyed
to make way for the northern extension of Robert Mugabe Ave, I
immediately compiled an angry letter to the Municipality.
Fortunately, before sending off the letter, I phoned my
municipal councillor.
She explained to me that an environmental impact assessment had
in fact been made and the tree had only been sacrificed after due
consideration.
In the name of the Botanical Society, I wish to applaud the
Municipality on their responsible and sensitive treatment of our
environment.
All over Windhoek along roads, rivers and on open spaces,
indigenous trees are left to grow.
They are neatly pruned by municipal employees from below to
provide shade but no hiding places for persons of bad intent.
All these indigenous trees and shrubs need no watering.
They provide variety by having many different shapes.
They mark the seasons by new leaves, flowers, scents, seeds, and
autumn colours.
They are home to many birds and insects.
Their crowns throw pools of shade to relieve the heat and they
give our city a unique note.
I wish to draw everybody's attention to the great value of all
established indigenous trees and of camel thorn trees (Acacia
erioloba) in particular.
Trees in the camel thorn forest to the south east of Rehoboth
have been carbon dated: they can grow to be more than 2000 years
old! Their rate of growth seems to vary - most sources list them as
slow growing which is likely because their wood is particularly
hard and durable.
According to The Namibian new trees, including camel thorn
trees, are to be planted along the extension of Robert Mugabe
Ave.
However, this promise, while being laudable, will only result in
well-developed trees in 50 years or so.
Thus, many citizens of today will not live to see them grow into
anything like the two trees that were destroyed.
Well-established camel thorn trees (and shepherds trees - Boscia
albitrunca) are of the most drought resistant trees we have.
With water levels in the dams receding and ever tighter water
restrictions looming, very soon there may not be enough water to
grow new trees.
It is therefore imperative that all existing trees be conserved
and protected.
They have proved that they can grow and develop on the spot
where they are growing.
Please go out of your way to accommodate and protect them
Established trees are a public asset.
Nobody should be allowed to remove well-established indigenous
trees from streets and side-walks, and even their own premises,
without obtaining permission from a committee made up of
ecologists, engineers, forestry officials, members of the public
and representatives of the municipality.
For our own sake, we should maintain a beautiful and healthy
environment.
Tourism is a growing industry in Namibia which will become ever
more important, especially if rainfall continues to deteriorate and
agriculture becomes less productive.
We need to look after our country and to make it as attractive
and as unique as possible for tourists.
Maintaining our indigenous vegetation on all levels and
everywhere, in particular in the capital of the country that every
tourist visits, is a very important step in this direction.
- Luise Hoffmann - Windhoek
Fortunately, before sending off the letter, I phoned my municipal
councillor. She explained to me that an environmental impact
assessment had in fact been made and the tree had only been
sacrificed after due consideration. In the name of the Botanical
Society, I wish to applaud the Municipality on their responsible
and sensitive treatment of our environment. All over Windhoek along
roads, rivers and on open spaces, indigenous trees are left to
grow. They are neatly pruned by municipal employees from below to
provide shade but no hiding places for persons of bad intent. All
these indigenous trees and shrubs need no watering. They provide
variety by having many different shapes. They mark the seasons by
new leaves, flowers, scents, seeds, and autumn colours. They are
home to many birds and insects. Their crowns throw pools of shade
to relieve the heat and they give our city a unique note. I wish to
draw everybody's attention to the great value of all established
indigenous trees and of camel thorn trees (Acacia erioloba) in
particular. Trees in the camel thorn forest to the south east of
Rehoboth have been carbon dated: they can grow to be more than 2000
years old! Their rate of growth seems to vary - most sources list
them as slow growing which is likely because their wood is
particularly hard and durable. According to The Namibian new trees,
including camel thorn trees, are to be planted along the extension
of Robert Mugabe Ave. However, this promise, while being laudable,
will only result in well-developed trees in 50 years or so. Thus,
many citizens of today will not live to see them grow into anything
like the two trees that were destroyed. Well-established camel
thorn trees (and shepherds trees - Boscia albitrunca) are of the
most drought resistant trees we have. With water levels in the dams
receding and ever tighter water restrictions looming, very soon
there may not be enough water to grow new trees. It is therefore
imperative that all existing trees be conserved and protected. They
have proved that they can grow and develop on the spot where they
are growing. Please go out of your way to accommodate and protect
them Established trees are a public asset. Nobody should be allowed
to remove well-established indigenous trees from streets and
side-walks, and even their own premises, without obtaining
permission from a committee made up of ecologists, engineers,
forestry officials, members of the public and representatives of
the municipality. For our own sake, we should maintain a beautiful
and healthy environment. Tourism is a growing industry in Namibia
which will become ever more important, especially if rainfall
continues to deteriorate and agriculture becomes less productive.
We need to look after our country and to make it as attractive and
as unique as possible for tourists. Maintaining our indigenous
vegetation on all levels and everywhere, in particular in the
capital of the country that every tourist visits, is a very
important step in this direction.- Luise Hoffmann - Windhoek