KFS, Homa Bay Woman Rep plant trees to increase forest cover

Homa Bay woman representative Joyce Osogo has collaborated with the Kenya Forest Service to plant trees in schools to increase forest cover.

“The programme aims at fighting the adverse impact of climate change. Climate change has interfered with rain patterns, giving farmers difficult moments in crop production,” Osogo said.

This will also help in the fight against the adverse effects of climate change in Homa Bay which is grappling with unpredictable weather patterns.

Statistics from KFS reveal that the county has a low forest cover of 3.18 per cent against the recommended 10 per cent.

The programme involves planting 1,470 trees in primary schools across the county. The schools include 1,116 primary schools and 354 secondary schools.

Osogo said each primary school will plant 100 tree seedlings and each secondary school will plant 200.

Most farmers can no longer get reliable rainfall due to the adverse impact of climate change which resulted from the degradation of the environment.

Osogo together with KFS assistant regional forest conservator in Nyanza Safari Opiyo launched the tree planting project at Kabunde Chief’s Camp in Homa Bay Town.

She said the tree planting initiative will help in conserving the environment.

She said modalities had been put in place to ensure the survival of the trees. This includes watering them during dry seasons and weeding them properly.

Osogo said they were not only planting the trees but nurturing them to enhance their growth.

“We’ve agreed with the management of the schools to ensure proper maintenance practices are carried out so that the trees grow well,” she said.

Opiyo said the project will help in improving forest cover in Homa Bay. He expressed optimism that the project will greatly contribute to the efforts of achieving the required forest cover.

“The county forest cover is much below the average and efforts must be put in place to salvage the situation. Residents should embrace the culture of planting trees,” he said.