In a remarkable show of unity, American Tower Company Kenya (ATC), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the local community of Nyasoko in Migori County have come together to plant millions of trees to promote the Nyasoko Conservation Forest.
This partnership is aimed at conserving the forest and promoting reforestation efforts, in an area that has for years experienced serious deforestation due to increased human activities.
According to the Migori County KFS conservator, Mr. Joseph Wakiaga, Nyasoko is a conservation forest, and planting indigenous trees will help in the protection efforts of ecosystems cogs like water sources and trees.
“The tree planting exercise is an important step in ensuring that we conserve our forest and protect the biodiversity in this area,” he stated.
He said that they will soon start a community forest service to help increase forest cover across the entire county, as Migori is listed among the counties with lowest forest covers at less than three per cent rather than the recommended ten per cent.
The success of this initiative depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders in ensuring that these trees grow and flourish and is this is what we are targeting to achieve,” added Wakiaga.
The tree planting exercise held in Suna West Sub County brought together local leaders and community members, including the Deputy County Commissioner of Suna West, Mr. Mbela Mutua.
More than 2000 trees seedlings were planted within the gazetted Nyasoko Forest on the day with more efforts being made to bring on board more government and private entities to champion this noble course.
Mr Mbela explained that in Suna West Sub County alone, they have so far planted 160,000 trees with the assistance of One Acre Fund, a Non-Government organisation, which has been constantly supplying them with seedlings.
Isaac Koome, representing ATC Kenya, emphasized that tree planting is one of their conservation plans across the country.
“As ATC Company management, we have decided to collaborate with KFS to help conserve regions where we have erected our masts. We are committed to ensuring that we play our part in protecting the environment,” he stated.
The locals expressed their commitment to protect the trees, with some even vowing to go an extra mile to vouch for a better environment.
“We will not allow anyone to mess with these young trees. We will protect them at all costs,” said Benson Omondi, a community member.
The tree planting exercise is a significant step in promoting environmental conservation and reforestation efforts in the Nyasoko Conservation area.
By bringing together different stakeholders, including the local community, NGOs, and private companies, this initiative sets an excellent example of how partnerships can help achieve common goals in environmental conservation.
The event marks a promising start to the restoration of the forest, and it is hoped that this initiative will inspire other organizations and communities to take up similar efforts in the conservation of the environment.
By Polycarp Ochieng and George Agimba
