Environmentalists have dispelled fears that the ongoing harvesting of mature trees in forests across the country is detrimental to the environment.
They said that the trees being harvested form about 4.5 percent of the total country’s forest cover adding that they must be harvested to pave way for planting of more trees.
Led by Hearts of Green CEO Moses Muya and Wangari Mathai Institute head Prof Thuita Thenya, the environmentalists noted that the trees were planted with an aim of harvesting them for other uses upon maturity besides conserving the environment.
They however called for proper regulation of the logging to avoid harvesting of immature trees noting that this would hurt the ecosystem and drain the gains the country has made in environment conservation.
They spoke during a tree planting drive at Thika School for the Visually Impaired to mark the Mazingira Day.
They at the same time called on Kenyans to plant more trees, especially at the onset of the elnino rains, saying that this will boost efforts to conserve the environment as well as help mitigate the effects of global warming.
Hearts of Green, a Non-governmental Organization, has been on an ambitious journey of planting millions of tree seedlings within institutions, including schools and hospitals among others, across the country.
The programme according to Muya, is in tandem with the Government’s plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to realize forest restoration and tackle the effects of climate change.
Muya said that they seek to partner with more corporates and players within the private sector in the noble course, noting that they are the ones who largely contribute to climate change.
“Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing harmful greenhouse gases and mitigating the effects of climate change. They provide essential ecosystem services, such as regulating water cycles, preventing soil erosion, and supporting biodiversity. Moreover, trees offer economic benefits by creating sustainable livelihoods, promoting eco-tourism, and enhancing the overall well-being of communities,” Muya said.
The CEO rallied corporate entities and institutions across the country to join efforts and help the government accomplish the initiative.
Meanwhile, Muya revealed that the group is upscaling it’s partnership with learning institutions across the country to plant 1.5 million tree seedlings el-Niño rains.
He noted that the programme dubbed as ‘Adopt a tree Programme’ aims at ensuring every school going child in the country plants and cares for a tree seedling.
“We have already kicked off the programme with the planting of 200,000 seedlings in eight counties in Western, Nyanza and Central regions in the last two weeks,” Muya said.
The CEO noted that the organization together with other partners will provide indigenous and fruit tree seedlings to schools in target regions and in turn the school children will plant the trees and nurture them throughout their school life.
Muya observed that since its inception in 2016, the NGO has planted over 20 million trees in various parts of the country, which has immensely contributed to the country’s forest cover. He noted that the Adopt-a-tree programme has proved to be effective in restoring forests.
“We have been collaborating with corporate and institutions in our tree planting drives. This time we will team up with schools, hospitals and other institutions in this noble course as we seek to actively participate in the fight against climate change,” Muya said.
He underscored the significance of the government’s endeavor to plant and grow 15 billion trees saying that it holds immense worth for the country and the world at large.
