The government seeks to grow 100,000 trees as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of Mwache River catchment in Kwale County

The government seeks to grow 100,000 trees as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of Mwache River catchment in Kwale County.

Today, Secretaries for Administration in the State Dept for Forestry Mr Evans Mutari and his Irrigation counterpart and Mr David Yatich joined Kwale Deputy Governor Hon Chirema Kombo in a tree planting exercise at Fulugani.

Mr Mutari, who represented Forestry PS Mr Gitonga Mugambi, rallied the community to plant trees in the region so as to contribute to the country's target of growing 15bn trees in 10 years.

"We should take up the responsibility and implement the Presidential directive of growing 15bn trees to increase the country's tree cover," Mr Mutari said, and advised the community to include fruit trees so as to enhance food security and improve their livelihoods.

Mr Mutari further announced that the Ministry was rolling out the Jaza Miti digital application, to among other benefits, assist tree growers to plant species that are fit for respective ecological zones.

"The Jaza Miti App provides assistance in selecting the suitable tree species for planting based on the specific geographical location," Mr Mutari informed.

On his part, Mr Kipkemei said the tree growing initiative seeks to protect the Mwache River watershed, provide equitable and sustainable water access and build the community's resilience to climate change.

"To ensure sustainable restoration of the catchment, the implementation will be guided by 25 community-led sub-basin management plans, in collaboration with key stakeholders, including water user associations, community forest associations, farmer-producer and marketing groups, women and youth groups, among others," Mr Kipkemei said.

Kwale Deputy Governor assured of the County's continued collaboration with the national government in the Mwache River rehabilitation programme by participating actively in tree growing and related ecosystem restoration activities.

Source :Official account for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry Kenya