ABOUT 0.7 billion trees have been planted nationwide as part of the government’s plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, Environment CS Aden Duale has said.
This was announced on Friday during the International Day of Forests celebrations at Chepalungu Forest in Bomet county.
In a speech read on his behalf by Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi, Duale termed it remarkable progress in environment conservation and the fight against climate change.
“We are currently fencing public forests to curb encroachment,” the CS said.
Moreover, the government is implementing the Green Zones Development Programme to enhance community resilience.
It is also advancing the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme to increase the forest cover, combat climate change and improve food security.
The CS said forests are vital sources of food, medicine, water and livelihoods for millions across the country, hence a need for concerted efforts to restore and protect them.
He expressed concern that essential ecosystems face severe threats, such as deforestation, land degradation and climate change.
These compromise food production and the well-being of communities, and the government is actively implementing various initiatives to safeguard them.
The CS called on farmers, community members, government institutions and the private sector to actively participate in tree-growing and sustainable land management.
“ We need cross-sector collaborations, particularly in agriculture, forestry and environmental conservation, to promote nature-based solutions that enhance food production while mitigating against climate change,” Duale said.
As the long rains season sets in, Duale urged all Kenyans and development partners to embrace tree planting and conservation efforts to secure a greener and food-secure future for generations to come.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok said the county has allocated a budget to support forest restoration efforts as a sign of its commitment to environmental conservation.
He called for a collaborative pproach involving schools, local communities and multinational companies in the rehabilitation of Chepalungu forest.
“Chepalungu forest suffered extensive destruction during the 2007-08 post-election violence, but measures have been put in place to restore it, including fencing degraded areas to prevent further encroachment,” he said.
He said the efforts cannot be successful without the involvement of the local community. Socioeconomic initiatives such as beekeeping and the promotion of Community Forest Associations (CFAs) have been started to ensure locals benefit from conservation efforts.
The county is in discussions with the Kenya Wildlife Service to introduce environmentally friendly wildlife species into the forest.
“This initiative aims to enhance biodiversity and create eco-tourism opportunities that will generate income for communities living near the ecosystem,” he said. “Our goal is to make conservation sustainable by integrating economic activities that support both livelihoods and environmental protection.”
Smachs Foundation founder Charlene Ruto called for capacity building in schools as a key strategy for sustainable forest conservation.
“We have started engaging learners to instil the right mindset about environmental conservation by encouraging them to plant and take care of trees,” she said.
The foundation has also been establishing tree nurseries near forests to provide seedlings and promote afforestation.
