Migori county government in collaboration with various partners have planted 2000 trees to mark yesterday’s World Environmental Day.
Themed land restoration, combating desertification, and building drought resilient environment, the event held in Nyasare village, Suna East, saw stakeholders calling for awareness creation among the community members on the importance of environmental conservation.
During the event, Migori County executive committee member for the environment Mr Caleb Opondi, challenged the residents to conserve and protect springs in the county by planting trees around the water catchment areas.
Opondi said that protecting the natural water source is one of the ways of making the ecosystem clean and can be achieved by planting trees which are friendly to the environment.
He cautioned that the encroachment and planting of trees which are not friendly to the environment and the ecosystem may lead to inadequate water supply to the growing population in the County.
“We chose this place to pass a message to the residents on the importance of protecting water sources such as the springs. We discourage the planting of the unfriendly trees around it and the residents should know that this is their future and present source of water,” said Opondi.
The CEC also outlined the species of trees they were advocating to be planted, including the indigenous trees such as bamboo, siala, croton, and acacia that are friendly to places around spring water.
At the same time, he assured the community members that they would work with the affiliate team to help monitor the growth of trees planted during the event.
The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Director Tom Togo routed for the conservation of the environment and the initiatives to ensure the environment is safe and healthy.
He revealed as an Authority, they are tasked to coordinate and supervise matters that relate to environmental conservation, noting the significance of the ecological day to the community.
“We are championing awareness creation at the community level and that is why we are at the remote areas to enable them to be aware of water conservation, and tree planting,” said Togo.
Concurrently, Mildred Menda from Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) outlined the input of KEFRI in environment conservation, which includes the provision of tree seedlings, offering capacity building and training the community on tree planting and maintenance.
The event brought together the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), the Western Kenya Water Project, and the Migori Meteorological Department among other stakeholders.
By Beryl Akinyi and George Agimba
