Melong Group Plants 1000 Watershed Trees

A new farming group in Moungo Division, Littoral Region, has planted 1.000 Acacia trees along their water catchment to protect and increase the supply of water.

Supported by US Charity Trees for the Future, Group de Plantation Soptowa (GPST) planted the trees recently in Melong II, in a move to provide water for some 500 inhabitants.

The people in Melong II joined the program in 2014 when the coordinator supported by the technician for Littoral introduced the idea of agro-forestry to them.

During a workshop on nursery establishment, the importance of agro-forestry and tree planting was explained to the group with emphasis on alley cropping and protection of watersheds.

After the villagers planted over 4.000 trees in their farms, the Agroforestry Coordinator advised them also to plant the water-friendly trees around their catchments in order to maintain the water table.  

One Tagni Pierre said this would ensure uninterrupted flow of water especially in the spring where they fetch drinking water.

He said if the technology worked, they would extend to new sites.