Moroke Sekoboto
THE Revenue Services Lesotho (RSL) has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the environment by planting more trees.
RSL, in collaboration with the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) through its Youth Development Programme Boot Campers and the Department of Forestry, marked another milestone in shared commitment to protecting and preserving the country’s natural environment at the LDF Military Base in Mafeteng by planting 2,000 trees last Thursday.
RSL Commissioner Operations Support, Mpono Mosase said this initiative forms part of their activities focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts.
Ms Mosase said that they developed their three-year strategy, dubbed Lesokoana 2024-2027, which encourages them to contribute to the development of the Basotho.
She added that through that development, it is their responsibility to protect every Mosotho and positively impact the livelihoods of Basotho.
“Since 2023, when RSL celebrated its 20th Anniversary, RSL made a bold pledge to plant 20,000 trees and increase that number annually. To date, 41,000 trees have been planted across the country. This financial year, the plan is to plant 22, 000 trees. A total of 4, 500 have already been planted at Ha Leutsoa and Hata Butle in Koro-Koro,” Ms Mosaase said.
She added that this initiative is firmly anchored in the Lesokoana Strategy 2023–2027, under the Natural Capital pillar, reflecting RSL’s intentional commitment to environmental preservation.
“We decided to contribute to environmental sustainability because we saw many environmental challenges, including climate change. The environment is deeply affected which, in turn, affects the people. It is our responsibility to conserve the environment hence, in 2023, when we marked our 20th anniversary, we embarked on planting trees,” Ms Mosaase said.
LDF’s Lieutenant Colonel Bokang Melato expressed appreciation to RSL for the great initiative, noting that the army had made notable progress working with RSL, as it was not the first time they had partnered with RSL in tree planting.
“This development is for the community, and we expect you to protect it. Trees are important to you and the environment as they provide immense environmental, economic, and social benefits. Trees produce the oxygen humans and animals need to breathe, they remove pollutants from the air, and are one of the most effective natural solutions for combating climate change,” Lt Col Melato said.
Lt Col Melato said conserving the environment is critical for human survival and well-being, providing essential resources and supporting economic stability.
He added that the environment ensures that vital natural systems remain healthy for current and future generations.
Planting trees alongside young people from the LDF boot camp, he said, reinforces the importance of instilling environmental responsibility in future leaders. With the continued support of local nurseries, the Department of Forestry, the LDF, and the dedicated RSL staff, this initiative continues to grow into a national movement that blends environmental sustainability with economic empowerment.
