By S, KNA
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) plans to put more than 600 hectares of land under trees during the October-November-December short rains season.
Nyeri County Forest Conservator, Esther Mugo, says they are waiting for the onset of the rains before embarking on the exercise which will cover both protected forests and private farms.
Mugo said KFS will also be partnering with the County Government of Nyeri in availing a total of 100,000 tree seedlings for onward distribution to farmers for planting on individual farms.
“We are waiting for the moisture build up to be sufficient before we can launch our tree planting campaign, both in gazetted plantation establishments, and also in derelict areas which need to be rehabilitated. We also plan to work alongside the County government in distributing both fruit and indigenous tree seedlings to farmers for planting in at least 100 hectares of private land,” she told KNA.
In the plantation establishment, KFS is targeting to cover a total of 320 hectares spread out in Gathiro, Nanyuki, Kabaru, Kiandongoro, and Zaina Forest stations.
Kenya Forest Service also plans to put 200 hectares of degraded areas under forests which will include both exotic and indigenous trees.
Among the areas set for rehabilitation include Kabage forest, Gathioro, Kabaru, Naromoru and Ragati forest stations.
Mugo has also said they will be joining the Kenya Defense Force (KDF) at Gathioro Forest Station in Kieni East during tomorrow’s nationwide tree planting fete in commemoration of Mazingira Day celebrations.
“As part of our efforts to increase forest cover in the county, we plan to partner with the Kenya Defense Forces at Gathioro forest station where we hope to continue with rehabilitation efforts in reclaiming the forest. In addition, we shall also be involved in other tree planting campaigns that will be held across the county tomorrow where we also plan to issue tree seedlings to members of the public for planting back at their homes,” she has pointed.
Gathioro Forest station lies within Mt. Kenya Forest Ecosystem and is one of the twelve Forest Stations in the County, seven of which are in the Mount Kenya Forest Ecosystem.
It covers an area of approximately 14,985 hectares, comprising grassland (612.5 hectares), bushland (1187.9 hectares) indigenous forest (8,525.3 hectares), plantation forest areas (2,190 hectares), and bamboo forest (,2000 hectares).
Over the years the forest underwent massive destruction through human encroaching and logging affecting both the adjacent ecosystem and rainfall patterns in the area.
In March this year around 400 acres of the forest with grass and shrubs was destroyed through a wild fire though no trees were affected.
The Government began the process of restoring forest cover at the station by planting a total of 10,000 tree seedlings during celebrations to mark the first National Tree Planting Day on November 13th 2023.
Forest plantations currently cover at least 335,000 acres in all gazetted reserves of Kenya including the Mount Kenya, Aberdare, Mau Forest Complex, Cherangani Hills and Mt Elgon.
Nyeri is one of the six County Conservation areas found within the Central Highlands Regional Conservation area.
The total gazetted forest area in Nyeri stands at 115,435.14 hectares with Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Ranges forming the two major forest ecosystems.
Mount Kenya forest ecosystem has seven forest stations that cover a total of 64,470.92 hectares.
They include Nanyuki, Gathioro, Naromoru, Kabaru, Hombe ,Ragati and Chehe.
The Aberdare ecosystem has five forest stations covering an area of 50,964.22 hectares which include Muringato , Kabaru ,Hombe ,Zaina ,Kiandongoro and Zuti.