As the world marks the International Day of Forests 2026, environmental stakeholders in Murang’a County have intensified calls for the protection of riparian areas and water catchment zones.
They spoke in Gatanga Constituency during a major tree planting drive held along the shores of Ndakaini Dam, one of Kenya’s most critical water reservoirs
The tree planting exercise that brought together government officials, environmentalists and area residents saw more than 2,000 indigenous trees planted as part of ongoing efforts to restore degraded ecosystems and safeguard critical water sources.
Water Services Providers Association (WASPA) Chief Executive Officer Antony Njaramba emphasized the importance of protecting key water towers.
“We are here to protect our water catchment area, Ndakaini Dam, as a water source, and subsequently promote sustainable environmental practices,” he said.
“This is a crucial water source, conserving its surroundings is key to sustaining both water supply and biodiversity,” he added.
Murang’a County Forest Conservator Eunice Njoroge called on communities living near rivers and water bodies to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
“As we mark the International Day of Forests, we urge farmers and people bordering riparian areas to ensure they plant water-friendly species to improve both the quality and quantity of water,” she said.
Njoroge also warned against encroachment into gazetted forests and riparian zones, noting that environmental degradation continues to contribute to the adverse effects of climate change.
“There is a link between sustainable forest management and economic development as forests contribute to livelihoods, industries and sustainable development as they are directly linked to clean air, water, food and climate stability,” noted Njoroge.
Murang’a County has made notable progress in forest conservation, with forest cover currently standing at 27 per cent.
Women in Climate Change Organization Chairperson Diana Muthoni said efforts are ongoing to further increase this figure.
“As a county, we continue to strive to achieve our target, currently at 27 per cent, with the main focus being educating our people on the need to plant more trees and also providing those seedlings,” she said.
“It is our collective responsibility to conserve and restore our vital ecosystems for future generations even as we raise awareness about the dangers of their degradation,” she noted.
She observed that the county is working closely with the national government to support the ambitious plan of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Observed every year on March 21 the International Day of Forests celebrates and raises awareness on the importance of forests and trees for the planet and lives.
This year the day is being marked under the theme: ‘Forests and Economies’.
By Florence Kinyua
