Nature lovers in their hundreds on Saturday braved chilly weather to take part in this year’s edition of Forest Challenge at Kereita forest in Kiambu county.
The challenge seeks to restore lost forest cover in key water catchments areas in Kenya that are essential to supporting livelihoods and the survival of wildlife ecosystems.
The spouse of Prime Cabinet Secretary Tessie Mudavadi presided over the event.
Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Hussein Noor, East African Wild Life Society executive director Nancy Ogonje and Kiambu CEC for Environment David Kuria attended the event that also saw a number of staff from Radio Africa take part.
Tessie lauded the initiative, saying it will go a long way in supporting the government’s agenda of enhancing country’s tree cover.
“I applaud EAWS, and Kenya Forest Service and Kijabe Environment Volunteers for this initiative to preserve and conserve the environment,” she said.
The government launched a campaign to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years from 2022 in a bid to reach 30 per cent tree cover.
The state needs at least Sh600 billion to enhance tree cover in the next 10 years.
Statistics from the state show that the forest cover increased from 5.9 per cent in 2018 to 8.83 per cent in 2021.
The national tree cover stands at 12.13 per cent, above the constitutional target of 10 per cent.
Results generated from the National Forest Resources Assessment 2021 show that the country has 5.2 million hectares of national forest cover, which represents 8.83 per cent of the total area.
Tessie said she is ready to partner under the initiative in order to ensure there is clean and healthy environment as envisioned under the Kenya’s constitution 2010.
She also lauded the ban on single use plastics in the country that was imposed in 2017 while urging all to implement the directive.
Noor echoed Tessie’s sentiments, lauding EAWS for their crucial role as peace keepers of the forest.
He urged participants to be champions of environmental conservation.
Noor said tree growing initiatives must be embraced by the whole society as it comes with massive benefits.
He encouraged those who took part in the challenge to adapt to forest conservation and champion environmental protection, saying tree planting is an investment.
With an ambitious target of planting 16.3 million trees annually in Kiambu County, the initiative brings together key stakeholders committed to combating climate change.
Ogonje said through the Forest Challenge, Kinale has already seen impressive progress, with 85,000 trees planted so far.
She said trees as a result of the just concluded challenge will be grown next year during rains.
Kuria who is among the founders of the challenge said the forest then was under immense threat.
“I’m happy to see young people taking part in the challenge, they are very important as they connect the future and today,” Kuria said.
He said the forest provided perfect
hide-out for those who championed
the country’s freedom.
