Municipalities across the country are set to go greener with the introduction of a new national strategy.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has developed the national greening strategy, which aims to assist municipalities to develop greening plans at local level, and ensure that greening is included in the Integrated Development Plans (IDPs).
Speaking at the launch of National Arbor Week at Cedarville Town Hall in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape on Friday, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana said the greening strategy will support local government, NGOs, community based organisations and the corporate sector to initiate and implement greening interventions.
“This initiative came as a result of addressing the way services were provided in the previous dispensation, where more affluent areas were provided for in terms of greening services, whereas the previously disadvantaged areas, such as townships, were not catered for.
“The main focus of the greening strategy is to uplift previously disadvantaged areas, while maintaining and protecting trees and other elements of greening in areas where they already exist,” Minister Zokwana said. – SAnews.gov.za
