Tree planting forms part of our very own existence. That is why an international NGO (WePlant Inc) is in the forefront of greening samburu county.
The first initiative that was held at Segera was successful. Approximately 3500 tree seedlings were planted by various stakeholders. Due to the success of the previous event ,more partners have joined the cause.
Approximately one million trees have to be planted annually in each of the 47 counties across the country.
The goal is to meet the UN-recommended 10 per cent forest cover.
With the introduction of the 2016 Forest Conservation and Management Act administered by the Kenya Forest Service, there is hope for sustained growth of more forest cover.
The act compels county governments to enact and adopt policies in compliance with the Act as given for in section 21, which demands them to plan annual reports for the forest activity service.
Trees and forest cover a small percentage of Kenya’s total land area. After millennia of this decline, there is now an international drive to increase the coverage of trees and forests. Tree planting initiatives have a significant role to play in this.
The national forest cover has risen from 5.3 per cent in 2013 to 7 per cent in 2017, according to the Kenya Natural Resources Alliance (KeNRA).
Ex environment CS Judy Wakhungu linked the prosperity to the rehabilitation of over 400,000 hectares of deteriorated public land at the time, part of the government’s anti-desertification campaign
Why are trees so important?
Trees and forests assist in capturing carbon from the atmosphere that leads to improved coverage of oxygen which has a major impact on the health of our planet–and also on us. In fact, a single mature tree removes 48 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. For this two very important reasons, this is beneficial.
Replacing lost trees
The team of local, professional, corporate, government and international organizations seeks to plant more than 3,500 tree seedlings and a similar format as to Segera Plant A Tree Day. Members of the public will meet at Archers Post Center Stadium before proceeding to Kalama. Planting the tree seedlings takes place on Feb 28, 2020 at the Kalama Community Conservancy, located in Samburu County-Archers Post.
The community gets to receive a new modern generator to replace the old and worn out one. The generator’s purpose is pumping water to water the seedlings. The event will be similar to the one we had in Segera ,with keynote speakers and refreshments.
On the same day, another team plans to plant over 1000 seedlings of the avocado tree in Endana. To bring economic stability to the areas, these will be planted into groups of 50 to 200 around private acreage.
The county government of Samburu has thrown its weight behind these conservation efforts. Support from the National government has also been instrumental in the planing of this upcoming event.
Reforestation efforts by both civil society and the government have seen significant improvements in forest cover since 2005 through the eviction of illegal forest occupants in Kenya. Late Prof Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement has also been instrumental in Kenya’s reforestation efforts so far.
Other Partners supporting the initiative include,Ms Debra , Uwezo Fund , SUWO SUPAT , Reality Bites ,Kalama Community Conservancy ,The Green Belt Movement ,Segera Mission Foundation , Chandaria Foundation and us ,at This Is Laikipia .