Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Soipan Tuya led dignitaries in planting indigenous tree seedlings at Enkongu Enkare, Narok South, Narok County.
CS Tuya was accompanied by Narok Governor, Patrick Ole Ntutu, Narok, Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Eng Festus K Ng’eno, PS for ASAL areas Idris Dogota, Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech, Director General NEMA, Members of Parliament Silvester Ntutu (Narok South), Johana Ngeno (Emurua Dikirr), MCAs among other leaders.
The CS stated that Narok County has a forest cover of 14.0% and a tree cover of 20% besides the 300 hectares available for restoration.
She added that the Ministry will partner with the County to set aside land for green spaces which I will personally commission.
“The Government has prioritized growing of 15 billion trees over the next 10 years. This will ensure that in addition to having a 30% tree cover, the country’s water towers and sources are protected and well-taken cares of Mission 15B,” Hon. Soipan stated.
She added that there is a need to continuously expose the local community to emerging knowledge on the impact of climate change for improved mitigation and adaptations that could be achieved through wetlands conservation and restoration.
Narok County Government Governor, Patrick Ntutu noted that there is need to conserve the available water sources within the County and prioritize tree growing to acquire the required tree cover.
The Governor pledged to support the locals in conservation efforts through the development of water dams, planting trees and protection of public utilities, especially water sources.
“There are 8,456 wetlands in Kenya. NEMA has mapped all these wetlands for protection and conservation through the development of Integrated Management Plans for these wetlands as well as their gazettement.” NEMA DG Mamo B. Mamo, EBS.
He added that the Authority will undertake public education towards the gazettement of Enkongu Enkare and Morok springs.
On his part, NEMA Chairman, Eri. Mungai underscored the need to conserve the indigenous water sources to ensure they are sustainably used to meet the needs of the locals. He urged the community to individually and collectively take the initiative to protect their environment.
NEMA has already completed the fencing of the wetland to prevent further encroachment and destruction of the Springs.
The theme of this year’s celebration was “Wetlands Restoration” and the slogan, it’s time for wetlands restoration. Over 7,000 trees were planted to mark the occasion.
World’s Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2nd, which marks the Anniversary of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands, adopted as an international treaty in 1971 at Ramsar in Iran, in which Kenya is a signatory.
