Togo Sacred Forests have long been preserved by the locals. These forests are believed to have mythical capacities. According to local beliefs, Spirits of ancestors, Sacred Animals dwell in these regions. These forests are also believed to possess sacred blessings. The local inhabitants have ensured that no harm is done to the forests. They have laid down a set of rules which they follow strictly. Cutting of trees, unplanned timber harvesting is not allowed inside the forest premises. These rules aid in the preservation of the forests to a large extent.
The Togo Sacred Forests have served with many benefits throughout several generations. The forest spans over a huge area. The approximate estimate of the wilderness is several 100sq km. It is highly possible that this stretch of greenery was once part of a singular thick woodland. As global warming & Deforestation threaten the Earth, almost eighty percent of the forest has been compromised.
Togo Sacred Forests Crucial For Soil Health
The forestland of Togo does not only consist of mythical folklore. The dense greenery is also scientifically crucial for mother earth. The trees in the sacred forest possess significant qualities. These qualities aid in combating the negative effects of changing climate. Sacred trees also help in productive farming to a great extent.
Michele Francis of Stellenbosch University has recently conducted a survey. He has come out with some interesting findings. His survey indicates that the forest soils do not contain Calcium Carbonate. With the absence of calculi promoting carbonates, the soil is great for carbon absorption. A large number of dry leaves and dead trees make up the ground. These remains have degraded over time and provided the Togo Sacred Forests the gift of fertility. The organic matter in the soil makes it a farmer’s heaven. It helps in amplified farmland yields around the vicinity of the forests.
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The Sacred Woods’ soil also soaks in carbon dioxide. Possession of this quality catalyzes in reducing the carbon content in the surrounding atmosphere. It caters to combating environmental changes largely.
Usually, a forest is considered a great means to reduce the amount of carbon content in the atmosphere. However, as the plants decompose after dying, the carbons are set free again. This is where the sacred forest of Togo stands out. The unique property of the soil holds back the carbon and solves the problem for good. The organic structure of these soils makes them highly nutritious and biodiverse.
227 tonnes of organically formed carbon is being captured per sq km by the soil. These soils also soak in 8.64tonnes of carbon dioxide per sq km from the atmosphere. On average, a single hectare of the Togo Sacred Forest reduces carbon emitted by 16tonnes of coal.
Togo Sacred Forests: A Goldmine For Farming
The land surrounding the greenery is not as magical as the Sacred Forests. Most of the adjacent land is not suitable for farming. The organic contents of the area are low. Cotton, Millets, Soy, Corn, Rice & Peanuts are the usual crops grown in Western Togo. Lack of soil fertility and proper fertilization techniques counts for a low yield.
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Francis conducted his research work regarding the Togo Sacred Forests on a farm at Tami. It consists of only a small amount of land from the forests. The place at Tami is trying to implement back organically formed matter in the soils. Nutrients such as decomposed leaves are very useful for increasing the fertility of the soil. The farm aims to amplify the carbon content of the soil by a percentage of 0.4%.
Togo Sacred Forests indicate the importance of good quality soil. Farmers and users of land must educate themselves on ways to preserve them effectively. Taking a leaf out of the sacred forest, one can maximize the yields and also save Mother Earth.
