Environment and Forestry Principle Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo has said that the community can increase the forest cover to 60 percent with the increased number of Community Forest Associations (CFAs) to manage the forests by increasing tree growing, and with support from the Ministry and its agencies.
The PS said it was imperative that seedlings were available nationally to facilitate the tree growing, calling on communities especially those adjacent to forests to invest in tree nurseries for indigenous, fruits and exotic trees that the Ministry can buy and distribute.
“Tree nurseries can be commercialized and hence create employment for the youth as well as contribute towards the increased forest cover and hence sustainable environment”, he affirmed.
He encouraged the growing of bamboo trees to support the Ministry’s agenda to grow 2billion trees by the year 2022, that will contribute towards increasing the forest cover by at least 10 per cent in the prescribed timelines.
He added that KFS will establish a 100 hectares model bamboo demonstration farm in Keyio Valley to promote the growing of the tree in Kaptagat and Kenya at large.
“Bamboo is a first maturing tree that takes between 4-5 years to mature and can be used to make numerous items that include furniture, doors and tiles among other, it will significantly reduce the demand for timber that has grossly contributed to deforestation in tour forests’, the PS noted.
Dr. Kiptoo appraised the community in Kaptagat for their commitment to protect the environment who are second highest in the county with a forest cover standing at 38 percent second to Nyeri.
He was speaking at Kaptargat DEB Primary school, in Elgeyo Marakwet County today when he officially inaugurated additional five (5) Community Forest Association (CFAs) namely Kaptargat, Kessup, Sabor, Kipkabus and Penon to administratively manage the forest reserve together with Cherengani, Cheptongei, Kapyego, Chesio and Elgeyo.
The PS said the onus was upon the CFAs to manage Kaptargat forest block that cover 20,491.7 hectares as it provides the much need micro climate for high altitude sporting events and supply water to Eldoret town.
He cautioned against wanton destruction of forests by felling trees for timber and cooking fuel, over grazing and encroachment on riparian land.
He stated that it was prudent to embrace alternative cooking fuel such as bio gas and encourage beekeeping and increase indigenous trees for herbal medicine.
Dr. Kiptoo appraised the WWF for donating KES1.5million through Kenya Forest Services (KFS) to engage labour to maintain and support the five newly inaugurated CFAs, towards increasing tree growing.
He acknowledged partnership between NETFUND and WWF Kenya that seek to boost capacities and capabilities in conservation.
Similarly, the PS lauded NETFUND for the KES 2.5 million support through KFS to support seedling production and individual nurseries aims at broadening the gap and hence availing necessary resources for rehabilitation of forests in our pursuit of attaining an increased 10% forest cover by 2022.
He also commended NETFUND for donating water tanks, wheel borrows, spades and other inputs to CFAs to facilitate tree growing in the five forest stations.
Dr. Kiptoo lauded the state agencies for the continued support towards the Ministry’s “2billion tree growing campaign”, that objects to increase the forest cover by at least 10 percent by 2022. He rallied Kenyans support and that of developments partners towards the initiative that seeks to mitigate the impact of climate change on our environment.
Dr. Kiptoo led CEOs of State Agencies under the Ministry in a tree planting exercise at Kaptargat Primary School, they included, NETFUND CEO, Samson Tuniok , KFS CCF Julius Kamau, Ag, DG KWTA Prof. Juilus Tonui, NECC Secretary, Dr. John Chumo, Governor Elgeyo Marakwet County, H.E Alex Tolgos and the Elegory Marakwet County Commissioner Kihara among others