By Hilda Atika
Residents of Kakamega County have been urged to embrace the culture of conserving the environment by planting more trees.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Fernandes Barasa during World Environment Day the County, County Environment boss Penina Mukabane said the move resonates with Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding precious natural resources for future generations.
“Degradation of environment has a likely impact of cautioning adverse climate changes. This is why the administration has been implementing programmes that aim at sustainable use of natural resources and land restoration,” she said.
She said that adverse environmental practices contribute and aggravate economic, social and environmental challenges such as poor health, lack of food security and water scarcity.
“In Kakamega we have set a target of planting 5 million trees annually. Planting high value trees to promote environmental conservation while collaborating with national government to develop natural resources,” she said.
County government is working in partnerships to raise forest cover from the current 9.81p.c to 10 p.c by 2025.
“Implementing forest management plans to create awareness and enable communities to internalise climate conservation efforts. Working with learning institutions to socialise children in environmental consciousness,” she noted.
In collaboration with Kenya water towers, the county has supported at least three groups per county with tree nurseries established.
The county also supported five groups with modern tree nursery infrastructure with a capacity to raise about 8, 000 seedlings per nursery.
