His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen Masenate Bereng Seeiso led the convoy of dignitaries and high ranking officials at the national tree planting day where over 17,000 trees were planted at Molumong Plateau in Leribe.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili and the First Lady, Mrs. Mathato Mosisili were also among top dignitaries, which included some ministers and members of the Diplomatic Missions in Lesotho.

The Minister of Forestry and Land Reclamation, Mr. Ralechate 'Mokose said the national tree planting day has been commemorated over 20 years since 1982, when it started with the view to promote the activity involving the community and government officials to enhance land reclamation.

He expressed joy at the selection the Molumong plateau whose magnificent scenery impressed the dignitaries creating ideas of development beyond forest that already covered most of the area.

He said that the event will be followed by meetings on steps and plans to be taken for lucrative development of the area.

The chairperson of Hleoheng Community Council responsible for the plateau, Mr. Morakeng Hoohlo said that the council has numerous plans about the area, which include tourism. He said the forest already is an assert for local revenue hoping that drastic measures will be taken to fully utilize the richness of the area.

The forest at the Molumong plateau is among 485 forests in the country which the Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation is planning to handover to the Community councils. Leribe has over 70 of these forests.

Source: LENA 31/03/2008