Nyangweta Forest Rangers Commissioned as Public Urged to Embrace Tree Planting
The Mt Kenya Times 
Julius Kamau Chief Conservator of Forest during the commissioning of Nyangweta Forest Camp. Photo | Elizabeth Angira
By Elizabeth Angira
Worth Noting:
- Kamau said that the programme will help in the propagation of 60 million seedlings & support reforestation & afforestation of 36,000 Ha of degraded landscape in government forests as well as community farmlands.
- He says this will also help increase Kenya’s forest cover from seven percent to ten percent as envisaged by the government.
- The Chief Conservator lauded the forest officers at the regional and county levels for collaborating with the other government agencies saying it is critical for them to work together to push the government’s agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Members of the public have been urged to embrace planting fruit trees in order to contribute to the Big 4 agenda on food security.
Julius Kamau Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) was speaking in Kisii County when he commissioned of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Rangers housing units at Nyangweta Forest Camp.
The facility which comprises housing units, water collection points, an office, a tree nursery and other amenities to ensure the full functionality of an outpost has been developed through the Green Zones Development Support Project Phase II (GZDSP-II) to bring Government services closer to the members of public living adjacent to Nyangweta Hill Forest
During the commissioning, the CCF noted that the new facility (which is the first ranger unit built by KFS in Kisii & Nyamira County) will ensure that henceforth, forest rangers are permanently based in the forest block & thus greatly enhance the general security of the forest with collaboration with the adjacent forest community.
The CCF noted that the project (currently being implemented in 15 counties around 3 water towers of Mau, Mt Kenya & Aberdares) focuses on forest conservation, community livelihood & food security all of which are critical in fulfilling the country’s quest of being climate change resilient.
Kamau said that the programme will help in the propagation of 60 million seedlings & support reforestation & afforestation of 36,000 Ha of degraded landscape in government forests as well as community farmlands.
He says this will also help increase Kenya’s forest cover from seven percent to ten percent as envisaged by the government.
The Chief Conservator lauded the forest officers at the regional and county levels for collaborating with the other government agencies saying it is critical for them to work together to push the government’s agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
He pointed out that the country’s goal of 30 percent tree cover will reduce the dependency on forest resources such as encroachment and illegal cutting of trees by the residents because they will have their own trees on farms.
The GZDSP Manager, Jerome Mwanzia noted the project’s objective is to improve forest conservation and livelihoods for sustainable forest management.
Mr. Mwanzia who was speaking at the graduation ceremony of Forest Farmers Field Schools from Kisii and Nyamira, said they support different activities in both counties including mixed farming, fruit trees, woodlot, and income-generating activities.
The Project Manager pointed out that the dairy farming projects in both counties are progressing exceptionally well adding that they have not only boosted the farmers’ income, but also improved the nutrition of vulnerable families in the region.
He said the group of trained farmers have gone for exchange visits and will help to bridge the gap that was left by retired Forest Extension Officers in the counties.
To achieve their goal, the organization partners with local communities, environmental groups, community forest associations.
Simon Wahome Regional Forest Conservator highlighted that there is need to conserve forests as it contributes to food security and prevented water related diseases and encouraged members of the public to support the government initiative of achieving 30% tree cover by 2032.
According to FAO, tree planting and plantation forestry plays an important role in mitigating the devastating effects of climate change. The destruction and degradation of forests contributes to the problem through the release of CO2. But the planting of new forests can help mitigate against climate change by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
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