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Kenya: Kenya Forest Service (KFS), in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Kiserian and the County Government of West Pokot, have collaborated in a tree growing exercise at Kamatira Forest as part of the activities to mark this year’s Earth Day celebrations.
The event, which was part of activities that took place in several other counties, saw the planting of over 2,000 seedlings together with the local community who are on a quest to restore the forest.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests for Drylands and Private Forests Development Coordination, Dr Clement Ng’oriareng’ who was representing the Acting Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr Alex Lemarkoko, called on the local community to conserve the local forests which he said were a lifeline for the surrounding areas, especially the people living in the drier lowlands who rely on the rivers emanating from the forests.
He added that KFS, together with stakeholders such as the county government and the Rotary Clubs, were ready to work together with them to conserve forests and ensure sustainability. He warned that continued forest destruction and uncontrolled cultivation on hillsides were heightening the risk of major landslides, which had caused great damage and loss of life on previous occasions.
Present during the event were the President of the Rotary Club of Kiserian, Ms Kevinna Loyatum, the Chief Officer for Water and Environment, Leonard Kamsait, the KWS Warden for West Pokot, Mr Wilson Ng’oriareng’ among other local leaders.