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{
    "id": 1495985,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1495985/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 370,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Luanda, DAP-K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Dick Oyugi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to also add my voice to this very important Bill. Allow me to appreciate Hon. Mayaka for bringing it since it will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges that we are facing in this country with regard to climate change, wetlands and the conservation of the environment. As a young boy, I grew up in an environment with many wetlands and the climate was very conducive. The springs and water points were intact. So, we had enough water for human and animal consumption. A time came when there was clamour to plant trees. It happened that the eucalyptus trees were planted. Little did we know their impact. Many years down the line, we are seeing the repercussions of having planted those trees along river banks, wetlands and sources of water. I appreciate the Member for bringing a very good document which is showing the cost benefit and pros and cons of eucalyptus trees in our society. When they were introduced, many people, especially small-scale farmers who had some extra land, thought it wise to plant those trees so that they could get firewood and supply electric power poles. It appeared to be a short- term measure of making money. By and large, that tree is dangerous and very vicious in the sense that it ensures other crops do not have enough water and absorbs all the water in our wetlands. Our wetlands and rivers are shrinking and drying. Some of them have become extinct. This amendment Bill will ensure that we safeguard our wetlands and rivers. This will go a long way in giving dignity to mankind. As stated, that tree can draw as much as 90 litres of water per day. I am trying to imagine an animal that can consume such an amount of water per day. I cannot think of one. If those trees continue to absorb such an amount of water, at the end, we"
}