(Embu) – Embu County has commenced a tree planting campaign aimed at restoring degraded forests and boosting the region’s tree cover. The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Embu station, along with local community members from Mbuvori Location in Embu North Sub-county, recently planted 17,500 indigenous tree seedlings in Irangi Forest.
This tree planting exercise is part of a broader initiative to achieve the county’s target of planting 1.4 million tree seedlings during the short rains season. According to Embu County Commissioner Jack Obuo, the county is nearing the milestone of planting one million trees, and he expressed confidence that the full target will be reached by the end of the short rains period in January.
The primary goal of the tree planting effort is to restore vast areas of degraded forest and contribute to the overall environmental conservation efforts. Obuo emphasized the importance of tree planting for environmental sustainability, particularly in combating climate change and preventing droughts.
Miriam Kamau, the County Conservator, encouraged local residents to embrace the tree planting initiatives as a means of mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing the county’s resilience to environmental challenges. She also highlighted the importance of nurturing these young trees to maturity, urging the local population to plant trees on their farms and use the short rains to their advantage.
“The county has an ample supply of tree seedlings in our nurseries, and we urge everyone to plant and care for these trees to contribute to the country’s goal of increasing tree cover,” Kamau said.
Florence Musyoka, the County Water CEC, underscored the importance of conserving the forests, particularly as they serve as critical catchment areas for rivers such as Thambana, which are vital sources of water for agriculture and domestic use in the region. She noted that the county government has set a target to plant 500,000 trees this year, and the plan is on track to meet that goal.
To further support local agricultural development and tree cover, Governor Cecily Mbarire distributed 16,000 pixie orange seedlings to farmers in Mbeere South Sub-county. The trees are expected to serve a dual purpose: enhancing the county’s tree cover while providing a source of income for local farmers through the sale of the fruit.