Kenya Forest Service plans to plant about 280,000 seedlings in Tana River during the coming long rain season to increase forest cover.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday at Hola office, County Eco-System Conservator Jafar Galole said a total of 160,000 seedlings will be mangroves and remaining 120,000 were from other types of tree species.
Galole said KFS will undertake a project called Forest Restoration Project in Tana Delta Sub County with about 60,000 tree seedlings, the project would be funded through United Nations (UN) and Global Association Fund (GAF) organizations.
He further added that the survival rate for tree seedlings planted in Tana River County was about 60% as the seedlings in open areas faced challenges such as drought, roaming livestock, and lack of adequate staff to monitor the growth of trees seedlings in various tree planting sites.
He however, stated that most tree seedlings planted in most households and schools were doing well as they were closely monitored.
The Conservator lauded the National Irrigation Authority who supplied them with enough water, which was being used to water tree seedlings till maturity.
The Conservator said the ban on wood had been lifted and people who need wood and trees in their households were required to fill forms and submit them to authority such as the area chief for approval.
He however said, charcoal burning remained totally banned and anybody found engaging will be prosecuted.
By Becam Afuya and Simon Guruba
