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County residents challenged to conserve environment

A non-governmental organization dubbed Green Africa Foundation has embarked on a tree planting campaign in Ndhiwa Sub-County, Homa-Bay County.

 

Founder of the organisation Frederick Kalua led residents in planting over 1800 trees at Arina Primary school under their initiative dubbed ‘Plant Your Age Campaign.’

 

He said the campaign advocates for Kenyans to endeavor to plant trees equivalent to their ages adding so far, the campaign had kicked off in Nairobi, Makueni, Kitui, Kajiado and Homa Bay counties.

 

“This campaign has played a vital role in improving the country’s forest cover because individuals are able to take care of the trees they have planted,” he said.

 

Speaking Wednesday during the tree planting exercise, Kalua said, “So far in this struggle, Homa Bay County has managed to achieve 2.6 percent forest cover increase but more efforts are required to help us meet our target.”

 

The foundation, Kalua added, targets to attain 40 percent forest cover by 2032. He stated that the campaign was started after world renowned environmentalist Prof. Wangari Maathai passed on and they have been on a mission to remind the people about the importance of planting trees.

“Our people should be supported to grow trees within their homes while all public functions should have tree planting sessions,” Kalua emphasized.

 

He welcomed more volunteers to come up to help the government in realizing the desired 10 percent forest cover. “The higher the forest cover, the healthier the livelihood and the more job opportunities our people shall get,” Kalua reiterated.

 

KFS indicates that one percent forest cover is equivalent to 580 million trees but 150 million trees are depleted annually for energy and other domestic uses, therefore, the country must plant 730 million trees every year to achieve 1 percent forest cover.

By Brian Odhiambo and Langat Davis

 

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