Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner (CC) David Gitonga has announced plans to erect beacons around gazetted forests and hills in a bid to curb rampant environmental destruction in the area.
Speaking during a County Steering Group meeting held at his office boardroom, Gitonga said the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), in collaboration with other stakeholders, will spearhead the exercise to clearly demarcate boundaries of protected areas.
He noted that individuals arrested for illegal logging and charcoal burning often feign ignorance of forest boundaries, making their prosecution difficult.
“Whenever we arrest people found destroying these hills and take them to court, they pretend not to know where the boundary of a given hill lies. This is one of the major challenges in our pursuit to curb the menace,” said Gitonga.
The CC emphasised that the county government should also partner with KFS to erect beacons in non-gazetted hills under its jurisdiction, adding that revitalising county environmental committees from the sub-county down to the sublocation level would strengthen conservation efforts and community sensitisation.
Gitonga stressed that the committees would play a key role in regulating activities such as charcoal burning and tree cutting, ensuring that proper procedures are followed before approvals are granted.
“We need to set up the structures. They are the ones missing and that is why we are having the problem. The environment must be conserved at all costs, even during drought, since that is our responsibility,” he said.
This initiative is expected to enhance forest protection, reduce illegal exploitation of natural resources, and promote sustainable environmental management across the county.
By Dickson Mwiti
