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{
    "id": 1499512,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1499512/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 375,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Emgwen, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Josses Lelmengit",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also support Hon. Irene Mayaka’s Amendment Bill prohibiting growing of eucalyptus trees along riverbanks, other water bodies and water catchment areas. We all know that eucalyptus has a high water consumption. It has very long, deep roots. It has very high water intake and therefore it lowers water levels across the environment. This makes water scarce in different regions. This is one of the disadvantages with eucalyptus. Research has also shown that eucalyptus trees cause soil degradation. This species releases allelopathic compound that inhibits the growth of other plants underneath, therefore reducing biodiversity and leading to soil degradation. Eucalyptus trees have a lot of disadvantages. However, in my constituency eucalyptus trees are used in tea factories as firewood for factory boilers. It is a big thing over there because of its quick growth and the fact that it burns very well. For this Bill to succeed, we need to encourage factories in my constituency, for instance, to get alternatives for roasting tea. This Bill designates areas where eucalyptus trees should not be planted. We encourage farmers and tea factories with large plantations to designate the correct land parcels to plant eucalyptus trees for the continuity of the factories but avoid riverbanks and swamps which act as buffer zones. Time and again, we have had a lot of soil erosion and floods because these buffer zones have been depleted. Once we abolish planting of eucalyptus trees along riverbanks, we can give life to rivers and conserve our water. Recently, the Government launched an initiative of planting indigenous trees along swamps, riverbanks, and water catchment areas to protect the environment. I request the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, led by our Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Duale, to speed up the process of allowing the youth to plant indigenous trees. It will ensure that we do not leave empty spaces where people can be tempted to plant exotic trees. As we abolish planting indigenous trees along riverbanks and swamps, let us have an alternative to cover up and protect the environment."
}