Gerald Mukembu
Tharaka Nithi County residents have been urged to plant more tress to restore the ecosystem, avoid droughts, landslides and flood disasters.
Speaking during the tree planting initiative at Chuka Forests Station, the office of the Prime led by Mercy Wanjau, County Conservator Reuben Muigai and IgambaNg’ombe sub County Deputy commissioner Julius Too said no life would be lost if there is adequate tree cover.
Too lamented that four people have so far died due to floods.
He urged residents to be extra cautious when crossing flash floods or Rivers.
Wanjau said it is an obligation for Kenyans to plant more trees for the benefit of future generations.
“Planting trees is aimed at achieving the 15.7billion tree cover Countrywide. We urge Tharaka Nithi residents to plant more trees. People should caution themselves during the rainy season especially while crossing flooded rivers. It is sad that so far we have lost four people to floods here and more than 200 countrywide. We want everyone to stay safe,” she said.
Muigai said planting trees means healthy living, a win to effects of climate change and environmental conservation.
“There are 31 gazetted forests in Tharaka Nithi occupying about 55820 hectares. We have 26.9 forest cover which is on the upper area of the County. Tharaka region is the most affected by climate change because most parts are arid and semi-arid,” Muigai said.
He added that KFS has partnered with Community Forest Associations in afforestation measures where they have planted more than 2million trees.
“We urge residents to set aside a portion of their land to plant trees so that we can achieve the 30 per cent tree cover by 2030. We have expanded our six nurseries to increase more seedlings. Establish home Nurseries because KFS alone can’t achieve the tree cover target in this County,” Muigai said.
Kenya Forestry Research Institute representative Stephen Ndung’u said they have conducted research on seedlings that are conducive and can grow depending on climatic conditions in an area.
“KEFRI is now matching seedlings depending on weather and climatic conditions of an area,” he said.
