A nongovernmental organization that deals with environmental conservation is now pushing members of the county assembly (MCAs) to develop tree nursery beds in their respective wards to promote a tree planting culture in the county.
Natural Resource Organization chairperson Nicholas Murero decried that despite the presidential directive issued in 2022 to plant over 15 billion trees in ten years, there was little being done in the wards to achieve the target.
He said the MCAs should lead by example by establishing mega tree nursery beds in their wards where the residents can get the seedlings free of charge.
“I feel the MCAs should work closely with the department of Kenya Forest Service (KFS), who will provide the technical knowledge on how to establish the tree nursery beds and also guide on the best trees to plant in the specific regions,” he said.
Murero noted that many individuals, families and institutions were yet to plant a single tree since the directive was issued because of the challenges of accessing seedlings.
“I have spoken with many locals who confessed to be willing to plant trees but had a challenge of accessing the seedlings,” he said.
The chairman called on Narok residents to embrace the culture of planting trees, saying it is the only sure way of curbing the effects of climate change that was depraving the environment.
Statistics from the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) on Natural Resources conducted in 2021 showed that Narok County had a tree cover of 20.9 percent and a forest cover of 14.9 per cent.
According to the Narok County Forest Conservator Daniel Mkung’, in a bid to reach 30 per cent tree cover, there is need for consolidated efforts among all key stakeholders.
The major forests in the county are: Maasai Mau Forest, that extends in Narok North and South sub counties, Nyakweri forest in Trans Mara West Sub County, Olposimoru forest in Narok North, Loita forest in Narok South and Enosupukia forest in Narok East Sub County.
The government’s ambitious plan to increase tree cover by 15 billion trees in ten years saw the county allocated 450 million trees, which translates to planting and growing 45 million tree seedlings per year.
Since we launched a vigorous campaign to plant and grow trees, the county has planted close to 10 million seedlings, with over 80 per cent of seedlings having been planted in forest land.
The main aim for the campaign was to reduce greenhouse emissions, as well as stopping and reversing deforestation.
By Ann Salaton
