50,000 Acres set to be Reforested in Embu

Deputy Chief Forest Conservator, Charity Munyasia speaks to the press. PHOTO: Courtesy 

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mbu County Government has partnered with the Kenya Forest Service to plant over 5 million indigenous trees in Kiang'ombe and Kianjiru forests.

The reforestation partnership will cover 50,000 acres. Tree planting will commence with the onset of the short rains.  

Embu County Executive Committee member for Lands, Urban Planning. Environment, Housing and Natural Resources Mr. Josphat Kithumbu said that different partners had agreed to restore the forests which had been depleted by charcoal burners and loggers. 

"We appreciate the support from Kenya Forest Service and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)  in reforestation program through a participatory management plan," he said. 

Kithumbu said the purpose of the exercise was to contribute to the 10 per cent forest cover targeted by the national government by 2022. 

"It will also provide a livelihood for the local community who will be establishing beehives in the two forests," he said. 

Deputy Chief Forest Conservator, Charity Munyasia said that KFS will give technical advice on forest conservation. 

She said KFS will provide the 5 million tree seedlings and ensure they are planted in the two forests by the end of the year.

However, Munyasia noted that the two forests have not been encroached on and therefore there will be no evictions there. 

"Initially, there was human activity in the forests but after talks with the community, they stopped. We have no people living in the forests now," she said. 

Community forest association chairman Njiru Ndugire said the residents are determined to guard the natural resources. 

"We have been allowed to keep beehives in the forest after planting the trees. This is beneficial and we will protect the two forest like our lands," Ndugire said. 

Kenya Forest Service urged locals to avoid cutting down trees for charcoal burning and timber