Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has partnered with local investors and the surrounding community in a tree planting initiative geared towards saving the Ol-donyo Sabuk National Park from wanton destruction.
The move seeks to redeem the once-green forests on the Kilimambogo hill in Matungulu, Machakos County, which was once a major water tower for residents of the areas nearby.
A visit to the hill, home to several herds of buffalo and other wild animals, showed wanton destruction of the forest through logging, which residents attribute to the continued dry spell that has over the years hit the area.
Speaking during a tree planting exercise on the slopes of the hill yesterday, the Warden in Charge of the National Park Fredrick Kisera said the exercise will help restore the forest as well as the water towers.
Kisera said they have started a free seedling distribution exercise for the surrounding communities to help restore the forest cover.
He warned that his officers were on high alert to deal with logging and illegal activities of charcoal burning that had rendered the mountain dry.
“The hill is a shell, so dry and bare compared to years ago when it was evergreen. It was the main water tower for the surrounding community and many rivers which is no longer the case currently. We however hope that with the tree planting initiative, the forest and water sources can be restored,” said Kisera.
His sentiments were echoed by Kel Chemicals Ltd., a Thika-based fertilizer manufacturing company. Chandrabhan Chemurkar said his company would support this noble cause.
Chemurkar advised the locals not to destroy these natural resources, saying the degradation of forests would eventually affect their children and future generations.
He further said Kel Chemicals in conjunction with other pharmaceutical companies has launched a program to help communities and local schools plant many trees which is in line with the government’s directive on tree planting.
Paul Jomo, the chairman of Green Blue Foundation Africa, a Thika-based CBO said his organization would train the community, schools, and other organizations on a new tree-planting technology that doesn’t require much water.
Jomo said they will be monitoring the seedlings for a period of three years to boost their survival rate.
By Muoki Charles
