STRATEGY TO INCREASE FOREST COVER

CS, Mr. Keriako Tobiko, and PS, Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed, gesturing, as they address the strategy meeting at the Minstry’s boardroom.

Kenyans, including Community Forest Associations (CFA’s) and private institutions, have been called to heed the government clarion call, to plant trees in order to increase the country’s’ forest cover.

Addressing a multi-agency meeting for institutions spearheading the national strategy to increase the country’s forest to 10%, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry, Mr. Keriako Tobiko, directed the Chief Conservator of Forests to map out degraded forests to be deforested, noting that, if the Country is to achieve the 10% forest cover, 500 million seedlings are required to be planted every year for the remaining 4 years.

Mr. Tobiko said schools will be ideal sites for the tree planting and growing, whereby students will plant and adopt a tree. At the same time, the CS said idle huge trucks of government institutions land will be mapped out and be used as nursery sites.

Present during the meeting was the Chief Administrative Secretary, Hon. Mohamed Elmi. , Principal Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed, Chief Conservator of Forests Julius Kamau, and the Secretary Administration, Mr. Joel Kitili, among other senior Ministry officials.

The CS addressing the strategy meeting.