International Day of Forests
Dedan Kimathi Foundation Participated in Nyandarua and Murang’a Counties’ Celebration
Forests are often termed as the lungs of the planet owing to their ability to clean the air. They clear tonnes of harmful carbon from the atmosphere, use it in the process of photosynthesis and give out the much needed oxygen for human and animal survival as a by product.
Since it’s proclamation as the International Day of Forests in 2012 by the United Nations, March 21st has been offering an excellent awareness platform through which importance of all types of Forests is emphasized. This year’s theme ‘ Forests and Innovation’ resonated well with environmentalists as the escalating deforestation levels calls for advanced technologies to combat the vice.
As a leading environmental organization, Dedan Kimathi Foundation took part in Nyandarua County celebrations held at Ol Kalou Sewerage Treatment works area in a colourful event graced by Nyandarua County Deputy Governor H.E Mathaara Mwangi. Songs sang, poems recited and skits presented by Mumbi and Munyeki primary and secondary schools called for awakening from the public to increase forest cover and protect all forests to ensure normalcy in rainfall patterns, sufficient rains, preserved biodiversity, increased food security and protected water sources.
Speaking during the event, Nyandarua County CECM for Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Hon. Samuel Mugo called for informed tree growing activities to suit the desired needs. He discouraged growing of eucalyptus trees along water sources and farms as they highly contribute to drying of the water bodies and cause scarcity of soil water in the latter. His sentiments were seconded by Nyandarua County Forest Conservator, Mr. Njoroge’s, plea to the farmers, public institutions, government and Non-governmental organizations to grow more indigenous trees as they absorb and store carbon for a long duration of time.
Crowning the speeches of the day, the deputy governor, doubling as the event’s guest of honor assured all stakeholders a hand in raising the county forest cover from the current 27.56% to a prestigious 36.7% by year 2032 in line with the ambitious presidential forest restoration plan to place the nation at 30% tree cover in 10 years.
In Murang’a County, the Foundation Team 2 joined Kenya Forest Service, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), Murang’a Water and Sewerage Company (MUWASCO), NEMA, Bright Future Foundation and Munyutha Primary school learners in the celebrations organized by the County Government. The event, graced by Murang’a County Commissioner, was a resounding success addressing sustainable tree growing practices to replenish forest resources, reducing carbon emissions, educating the young generation on their vital role in environmental conservation and need to instill responsible environmental behaviour for a clean, green environment.
Dedan Kimathi Foundation Environment conservation team urged the stakeholders to take the fight against climate change a notch higher by conducting sustainable tree growing. Proper species-site matching, planting during the rainy season while the soil moisture build up is high and all round proper aftercare being among the measures to increase the trees survival rate. Secondly, need to grow trees in own farms for wood, timber and financial needs to reduce dependency on gazetted forests was encouraged by the team leaders in both events.
