Tourists are expected to descend on the Maasai Mara National Reserve in droves this season to enjoy the spectacular wildebeest migration from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Kenya.
Director General, Tourism Regulation Authority, Nobert Salam, said hotel bookings were on an upward trend, and many foreign tourists have expressed interest in touring the Mara this peak season.
“The tourism sector is becoming very busy, as we have seen hotel bookings on the upward trend. Already, 1.1 million tourists have reported in the country this year, and we expect more by the end of the year. We are hopeful that in the next five years we will be receiving over 5 million foreign tourists annually,” he said.
He said conserving the environment goes hand in hand with boosting wildlife numbers and tourism; hence, he called on the residents to plant trees in their homes, schools, churches, and government premises to increase forest cover.
“We urge all residents to build a culture of growing trees so that we can achieve the 15 billion tree cover in ten years; this will boost environment conservation and bring more returns to the country,” he said.
Salam spoke during a tree-planting event at Ole Tipis Girls Secondary School, where he called on the learners to join in the cause of growing trees, especially fruit trees that can improve nutrition and become a source of income.
Conservation Secretary in the State Department for Wildlife, Dr. John Chumo, underscored the need to protect mega water catchment towers like Maasai Mau Forest, which is the source of the River Mara, that flows across the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
“The wildebeest migration occurs across the River Mara, and it attracts millions of visitors across the world who flock to the Mara to watch the spectacular occurence. This is why we need to conserve our environment to keep the rivers flowing,” he said.
Catherine Mutula, the President of Maasai Mara Rotary Club, challenged students to adopt a tree in their environs that they will nurture to maturity.
By Ann Salaton
