In a move to conserve and enable the region to promote a sustainable environment, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) will plant 50,000 trees in the partner states over the next one year.

The regional law makers made the pledge yesterday during a tree planting ceremony held at Nadosoito Primary School, in Terrat ward, South- east of Arusha. The ceremony was part of the EALA 10th anniversary celebrations.

During the ceremony, 200 various species of trees, including Senna Spectsblis (Mhojoro), Olea Capensis (Loliondo), Acacia, Mango and Guava were planted.

EALA Speaker, Abdirahin H. Abdi, said  that in so doing, EALA was committed to enabling the region realise a sustainable environment in accordance with goal number seven of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  

He pledged that the Assembly would go an extra mile to legislate relevant pieces of law that protect and conserve the environment.

"The region has a Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources which is not yet ratified. I urge all Partner States to ratify this important Protocol”, the Speaker said in a statement. 

So far, only the United Republic of Tanzania is yet to ratify the Protocol.

Hon Abdirahin H. Abdi believes that if an average of 1,100 trees are grown per year by each Member of EALA, the Assembly shall achieve the 50,000 target.   

"This translates to about 90 trees a month or simply put, three trees a day, a target that is possible”, the statement added.

He noted that EALA would continue in its mission to look for opportunities to engage with all cadres of society.

”As we appraise our own effectiveness as an Assembly, we continue to reflect on what tomorrow holds.  Let me hasten to say that "tomorrow belongs to the young ones you see here,” he told the gathering.

"But tomorrow also belongs to a strong and unified East African Community region where all citizens shall enjoy the full benefits of integration, social inclusiveness and cohesiveness”. 

The tree planting ceremony took place against the backdrop of the International Biodiversity Day which was commemorated globally on May 21, 2011.

The theme of this year’s International Biodiversity Day was "Forests and Biodiversity and coincides with the UN Proclamation of 2011 as the International Year of Forests.

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