Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has called on the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) to lead in tree planting projects to achieve the 15 billion target in ten years.
“The Government has prioritized growing of 15 billion trees over the next 10 years. This will ensure that in addition to having a 30% tree cover, the country’s water towers and sources are protected and well taken cares of,” CS Soipan said.
CS Tuya, who spoke at Naroosura area in Narok South Sub County, west of Nairobi, during the commemoration of the #WorldWetlandsDay where she commissioned the rehabilitation of 200 acreages of Enkong’u Enkare.
CS Soipan said Narok County has a forest cover of 14.0% and a tree cover of 20%. Besides the 300 hectares available for restoration, the ministry will partner with the County to set aside land for green spaces, which she will personally commission.
The CS sounded a strong warning to those destroying the environment saying her ministry is extremely intolerant of those cutting down trees illegally.
“We cannot move forward in our efforts to conserve the environment if some other people are illegally cutting trees,” she said, asking NGAO to be vigilant in guarding the environment by arresting the illegal loggers.
The CS said the government is putting a framework to boost green energy usage in schools and other institutions to reduce over-reliance on biomass. She said 5 000 schools around the country are already in the pilot stage of implementing green energy.
“The Government will establish” The Green Army”, a group of young men and women to sustain the 15 Billion Trees the efforts will not only green Kenya but offer employment to the youth”.
CS Soipan directed State Agencies under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to utilize their budgets to Adopt a Forest or ecosystems and cut down on unnecessary publicity materials. “Let’s put our money where we will realize sustainability.”
During the event, over 8 000 tree seedlings were planted in the wetland area already fenced by the county government of Narok in collaboration with NEMA.
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