ACQUIRE DEVICE TO MONITOR SEEDLINGS SURVIVAL RATES – CS TOBIKO

CS, Mr. Tobiko, Kwale Env. Minister, Hon. Ms. Mahaja, CCF, Mr. Kamau and Kwale County Commissioner, Mr. Ngumo, during the mangrove tree planting in Vanga, Kwale.

Kenya is losing mangroves at an alarming rate considering that 40% of the 62,000 hectares of the entire mangrove ecosystem at the coast is degraded Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobikosaid.

“Mangroves are a powerhouse when it comes to carbon sequestration. It can sequester 10% more carbon than rainforests do” the CS noted.

Despite the ecosystem services played by the vital natural resources they are endangered due to pollution and human activities.

The CS urged Kenya Forest Service to come up with a tool that will measure the survival rates of the trees planted.

“We have planted so many trees, last year during World Environment Day we planted 10,000 mangroves in Vanga, I can’t tell you how many survived”. The CS asserted.

He was speaking in Vanga where he launched a 5-yearVanga, Jimbo&Kiwegu (Vijiki) Mangrove Forest Participatory Management Plan &Vanga Blue Forest Project in Vanga Kwale County.

The CS was accompanied by the Chief Conservator of Forest Mr Julius Kamau, Kwale County Commissioner Julius KarukuNgumo, Kwale County CEC in charge of Environment Hon. Mahajaamong other leaders.

CS Tobiko with other guests, touring the mangrove plantation site in Vanga. He called on the current generation to emulate their fore-fathers by conserving and protecting forests for the generations to come.