CONSERVATION IS CRITICAL IN ACHIEVING BIG 4 AGENDA SAYS CS TOBIKO 

Environment and Forest Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko; has said forest conservation is a critical sector towards achieving President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big 4 Agenda.

“It’s through environmental protection that we shall ensure sustainable development,” said Tobiko.

The CS said today that Kenya is the Environment capital of the world, and it must demonstrate global leadership in environmental conservation.

“Environmental issues have no territorial boundaries, any effect of destruction of our forests extends to the neighboring countries, Kenya belongs to a family of nations and it must meet its environmental protection obligations”, said Tobiko.

The CS said the government has an obligation to conserve the environment to ensure present and future generations enjoy a clean, safe and healthy environment.

“Forests plays an important role in addressing the effects of climate change, it is unfortunate that we keep destroying our forests risking the lives of millions,” said the CS.

Tobiko urged institutions and more so corporate to adopt forests, among the 370 local forests spread across the country by rehabilitating and conserving the degraded critical water towers.

He said “every Kenyan, every corporate, civil society and religious organizations have a shared responsibility with the government in achieving the 10% tree cover”.

The CS was speaking today during an interview on the progress of the Greening Kenya Initiative,  the CS said that the initiative has seen more than 50 million tree seedlings produced annually.

He said that the initiative will require over Kshs 48 billion to achieve 10% tree cover, and the strategy seeks to have each ministry departments and agencies contribute 10% of their CSR budget for tree growing.

The Greening Kenya Initiate is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Interior and Coordination of National Government, National Prisons Service, National Youth Service and the UNEP.

According to CS Tobiko the initiative will as from next year double production of seedlings from the current 50 million to 100 million, rehabilitate 1,000ha of degraded areas in South Marmanet Forest Station, establish 2,000km of boundary planting within Prison Service Land and establish 700ha of commercial woodlots within Prison services land.

The CS said under the greening schools and other learning institutions , the strategy will leverage on the over 12 million student and pupils  population  to enhance tree cover through establishment of woodlots and boundary planting , creation of environmental awareness through curriculum and planting and adoption of trees in schools.