The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Tharaka Nithi County is partnering with stakeholders to ensure continuous sustainable conservation of the environment.
Speaking to KNA, NEMA County Director, Joseph Kamau, said his office has partnered with Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the County Government and Upper Tana Natural Resource Management Project among other partners and will have frequent environmental activities that will ensure continuous environmental conservation.
He said this as the County marked the International World Environment Day at Mikuu Primary School in Maara Sub-county, where they planted 200 tree seedlings within the school compound.
Kamau advised Kenyans to continue planting trees, preserving water basins and making sure they take care of the environment to prevent adverse weather effects during the dry season.
On her Part, KFS New County Forest Conservator Joyce Nduku said it was the mandate of the Kenya Forest Service to conserve, manage and protect the forest regions in the country to ensure sustainable conservation and management of trees.
She revealed that they use a multi-agency approach to bring in all stakeholders like NEMA in tree planting so as to achieve the 10 per cent forest cover as directed by the government.
“We are using a multi-agency approach where we involve everyone including schools, the community NEMA, and county government in the planting process,” she said.
Tharaka Nithi stands at 19.4 per cent forest cover, she noted, adding that more effort is needed to reach the 22 per cent target by the end of the year.
KFS has over the years reviewed its law so as to devolve some of its functions to the county government where they both work together to fulfil their national forest cover mandates through a plan labeled “Transition Implementation Plan”.
The County Commissioner, Norbert Komora, who was also in attendance challenged everyone to plant 10 trees every year to maintain the 10 per cent forest cover.
Komora urged residents to refrain from cutting down trees, an activity which causes damage to the ozone layer.
This year’s theme International World Environment Day celebration was “We only have one earth, let’s protect it,”
By Sharon Gitau
