In Kajo-keji County, residents launched a tree planting exercise today to combat the effects of previous logging in the area.

The planting, which is organized every year in the county, was attended by people of all age groups including school children.

The Kajo-keji county commissioner of forestry, James Mogga says the main aim of the exercise is to educate the locals on the importance of trees to human life.

“Tree cutting is now prohibited in the county except for community construction,” said Mr. Mogga Eye Radio this morning in an interview.

He said the major challenge facing the forestry department in the area is lack of guards to patrol the forest areas.

“You find out that big trees have been lost, have been destroyed, fruits are no longer available – the wild fruits,” he added.

“So, we are trying to restore our environment to its original status, at least to become green.

“For us to control the environment or the cutting of the trees, this needs collective efforts.

“It needs collaboration between the communities and the forest department for their role in the protection of trees in their localities.”

Mr. Mogga said he hoped other counties in South Sudan will also plants trees.