The presidential directive of achieving 30 per cent forest cover by planting 15 billion trees by 2032 has continued to gain momentum across the country.
Supported by the ongoing above-average rainfall, the need to restore nature’s balance by combating the effects of climate change has seen a collaboration between non-governmental organisations, parastatals, County and National governments champion the planting and growing of trees.
In Murang’a County the Women in Climate Change Organization (WICCO), in conjunction with the personnel from the Kenya Army Corps of Signals and CISMIC Kahawa Barracks, on Thursday participated in an exercise that saw the planting of 10,000 tree seedlings in Gaichanjiru Primary /Secondary School’s 10 acre piece of land.
Speaking during the exercise, WICCO Chairperson and also Murang’a County Assembly Environment committee Chair Diana Muthoni observed that it was every person’s responsibility to conserve the environment.
“If we do injustice to the environment, we are the ones to experience the effects of that injustice, either through excessive heat, drought or even erratic weather conditions. So let us plant and nurture more trees even in our homes because some will even earn you a livelihood in the future,” she said.
Muthoni underscored the need to plant indigenous and medicinal trees which have enormous benefits.
“Medicinal and indigenous trees are vital species to community health, cultural identity and even environmental sustainability, so let us ensure we incorporate them in our tree planting and growing exercises,” she added.
Eunice Njoroge, Murang’a County Forest Conservator, noted that the county has a target of planting 1.34 million trees by 2032 and every exercise of tree planting takes them closer to this target.
She called on the public to not only plant trees but also grow them and ensure they plant quality seedlings which can be found in tree nurseries all over and in the Kenya Forest Services (KFS) nurseries.
“So as to reap full benefits from trees, farmers and other tree growers can visit our KFS offices for technical advice. Currently we have more than 2 million seedlings and you will be advised on the species to grow for your specific needs,” she explained.
Bernard Kariuki, Deputy County Secretary, Murang’a county reiterated that climate change effects have caught up with humans and hence it’s a patriotic call to every Kenyan to conserve the environment and mitigate those effects.
Some of the medicinal trees that were planted during the exercise include Prunus Africana which is used in the treatment of prostate and stomach conditions; Warburgia ugandensis, commonly used for chest ailments and colds; and Croton megalocarpus, used for respiratory issues, among other exotic tree species.
By Florence Kinyua
