State nurtures tree-growing culture in schools to conserve environment

EKUWAM SYLVESTER -KNA

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry is rolling out tree-growing and plant ing initiatives in schools across the country. This is being done through establishing nurseries to raise both tree and fruit-tree seedlings.

The initiative aims at inculcating a culture of tree growing among school children to con serve the environment, support livelihoods through income from the sale of seedlings and improve nutritional components from fruit tree seedlings.

Speaking when she led the tree planting exercise at Wareng’ High School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Environment Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah Mulongo Barasa emphasized the need to impart a culture of tree growing to school children to ensure sustainability in terms of environmental conservation from generation to generation.

She noted that the programme will con tribute to the achievement of the 15 billion trees target as per the presidential directive to restore degraded land, boost water conservation and promote bio diversity. 

“Far beyond that when you look for in stance at fruit trees, they are going to address food security issues and also commercialization of some trees for timber and non- timber for medicinal purposes among others.

"We are looking forward to leveraging on that platform to improve tree coverage and a culture of tree growing continues from the stu dents at this level,” she noted.

The CS said by embracing a whole-of-government approach, working together with the private sector, with partners like the Chandaria Foundation, Mpesa Foundation, KCB Foundation among others, the government will be able to achieve the 15 billion trees target by 2032.

Dr. Barasa high lighted some innovations undertaken to improve coverage like aerial seeding and other measures like fencing to avoid encroachment by human activities, animal invasion and avoiding other issues that will cause falling down of trees when they are not yet mature.

She said teaching students to plant trees will ensure that there is a sustainable tree growing in the schools and communities.

“We are happy to see that school children are doing a great job, we started in the morning by planting fruit trees so that they have an or chard to improve food security and also the nutritious component of fruits,” said Dr. Barasa.