In a bid to curb carbon emissions from planes, a situation that contributes to global warming, Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) has embarked on a tree planting crusade to help in environment conservation.
TAA members of staff planted a total of 100 trees at the office premises located near Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, as part of the activities lined up to mark the World Environment Day.
“We receive a lot of motor vehicles and aircrafts daily. These produce carbon monoxide which is not good for human health.
The trees will help to absorb carbon emissions,” the Acting Director General, Laurence Mwigune, said. The theme of this year is, “Protect the Environment for Sustainable Transport,” said Mr Mwigune, adding that stakeholders should protect their surrounding environments.
The World Environment Day is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. World Environment Day activities take place all year round and climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere.
The World Environment Day celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.
“It’s a great opportunity to make environmentally-friendly lifestyle choices, as we have decided to plant these trees,” noted Mwigune, who urged stakeholders to be committed in improving air quality by planting more trees and protect the environment.
He further elaborated the importance of planting trees along the airport as they not only protect the environment, but also planes when landing and taking off because there are special trees which do not attract birds.
“We are focusing on protecting the safety of our passengers, if birds access plane engines they can cause accidents,” he pointed out.
TAA was established in November 1999 vide Government Notice Number 404 of 1999 under the Executive Agencies Act Number 30 of 1997.
By HILDA MHAGAMA, Tanzania Daily News
