An environmental lobby group dubbed Eco Greenlife Global (EGG) in collaboration with the County Government of Nandi has planted 5000 tree seedlings on riparian land in Nandi Hills along Kisoiywo river as a measure to conserve the environment as well as enhance climate resilience.
EGG, which is working jointly with the government, other groups, and the residents, is committed to ensuring environmental restoration and sustainability of the local ecosystem by planting indigenous trees, which are best at restoring water catchment sources in a bid to mitigate climate change.
Photo by Ruth Mainye.
Speaking during the launch of the planting exercise held at Kisoiywo river riparian grounds, EGG founder Ibrahim Kibiwott maintained that planting trees was a key element in conserving the water ecosystems.
Kibiwott noted that as a group they are committed to ensuring all planted tree seedlings are protected and called on residents to ensure they plant trees as well as ensure they grow to maturity.
He added that planting alone is not enough because if not protected, the young trees will not grow to maturity to add to the forest cover.
“By planting trees, we address the issue of food shortage because trees help in countering climate change. Planting trees is protecting the water source as well as protecting life. Let us plant trees as well as nurture them to maturity,” explained Kibiwott.
He lauded the County government for their unwavering support of supplying them with tree seedlings.
Nandi East Sub County Administrator Barnabas Talaam observed that planting trees is essential and it should be embraced by all individuals even at home, adding that trees help in ensuring enough supply of fresh air.
“We are living in an environment that we need to protect. One of the ways of protecting the environment is through planting trees. The atmosphere is filled with too much carbon. Trees help decarbonise the atmosphere. Let us safeguard our ecosystem by planting trees even in our homesteads, at the riverbanks, at church grounds and even at schools,” pointed out Talaam.
County Environmental Director James Melly commended the EGG group for their effort of greening the wetlands and water banks, observing that all wetlands, according to the law, are public land that are conserved by planting only indigenous trees.
Melly directed all residents with eucalyptus trees along the rivers to ensure they eliminate them before the county takes action, adding all the area within 30 metres from rivers is prohibited from planting such trees because of their negative impact on the water sources.
“We have given residents a grace period of seven days to eliminate all eucalyptus trees from the riparian land, failure to which we will cut them by force. Wetlands are public land that should not be encroached upon,” said Melly.
The area Assistant County Commissioner Dominic Onyango, who was present, echoed the sentiments, adding that with trees, the environment will be conducive, thus contributing positively to healthy living.
“Greening the environment is one of the government’s programmes for conserving our environment,” said Onyango.
By Ruth Mainye
