The restoration initiative:Tree planting in Mt. Kulal

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Global Environment Facility (GEF), KFS, and KEFRI led a tree planting activity that saw over 7,000 indigenous tree seedlings planted in Mt Kulal, Marsabit County. 1,600 fruit tree seedlings were also given out to community members to plant in their respective homes.

This was done under the Restoration Initiative in which GEF is the resource partner and KEFRI is the lead executive partner. The project’s main aim is to reduce forest and landscape degradation by 20% through the support of community-based bio-enterprises.

The Chief Guest, Dr Sammy Latema, the KEFRI Board Chairman, in his speech promised members of the community that the project aims at strengthening their CFA by assisting them to register it and also establishing bio-enterprises for non-extractive activities like bee-keeping and selling gum and raisings.

KFS Ewaso North HOC, John Wachihi on behalf of the Chief Conservator of Forests said that KFS would assist the CFA in developing a management plan for Mt Kulal and also assist them in establishing a tree nursery.

Mt Kulal attracts global significance due to it being declared a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve back in 1979. It covers an area of 45,000ha and the Service together with other stakeholders plans to rehabilitate 4,000ha which is degraded.

Other stakeholders present at the event included the National Museums of Kenya, National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Water Towers Agency, The County Government of Marsabit, the Local Community, Turkana Wind Power Company, and local Non-Governmental Organizations among others.