Isaac Woja, an agronomist and expert in natural resource management, says the rate of deforestation in the country is at an alarming level. "The speed at which trees are being cut is alarming. If this trend continues, future generations will suffer. South Sudan could become a desert like what you see in the North" according to a report for the Inter Press Service agency.
Although there is no information on the exact number of forests in the country, according to 2009 data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, forests and woods cover 191,667 square km. which represents 29% of the land area.
A study conducted in 2010 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) entitled "Forest Resources Assessment" estimated that in the country up to 2,776 square kilometres of forest and other wooded land were being lost each year.
The Salesians comment with satisfaction on the initiative of the school children: "it was a great joy to see the children actively participate in the programme. More than 90 have been involved in planting operations,” says Fr David Tulimelli, SDB, a Salesian missionary from India. “We, the Sons of Don Bosco, would like to plant as many trees as possible and raise awareness. We are sure that this will give good results.”
