Trees for Africa

A FOUNDATION responsible for facilitating the creation of cross-border conservation areas has established a unit that will help SADC countries in their response to climate change.

The Land Use Change and Forestry component of the Stellenbosch-based Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) includes reforestation and forest management, whereby people are encouraged to plant tress and get paid for contributing to global efforts against climate change.A recent feasibility study done by PPF concluded that 10 Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in southern Africa qualify for this project.So far, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique have provided PPF with mandates to implement such activities in their countries. ‘We plan to involve all SADC countries where there are transfrontier areas,’ said the head of the PFF Climate Change Unit, Dr Michiel Smit.However, Smit said South Africa might be excluded because forests in that country are well preserved. ‘What we are doing is to find alternative livelihoods for the people and whoever is involved the projects will be paid,’ he said. In Kenya, some farmers are already making an income from planting trees. Some small-scale farmers on the slopes of Mount Kenya are being paid by the International Small Group on Tree Planting (TIST).TIST is part of the Clean Air Action, a US-based company that promotes a cleaner environment.