Kenya Forest Service (KFS), American Tower Corporation (ATC), and the Nyasoko community in Migori County have embarked on the restoration of the Nyasoko Conservation Forest.
The rampant deforestation of Nyasoko Forest has been accelerated by human activities, and this partnership aims to promote reforestation and conserve the forest.
The exercise was led by Migori County KFS Conservator Joseph Wakiaga, Suna West Deputy County Commissioner and representation from ATC.
While speaking during the exercise, Wakiaga highlighted the importance of the tree-planting exercise in conserving the forest and protecting the area’s biodiversity.
He noted that Nyasoko is a conservation forest, which is mainly for the conservation of the ecosystem.
Therefore, planting indigenous trees will ensure they help in the production of ecosystem services like water, which are vital to conservation efforts.
“The success of this initiative depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders in ensuring that these trees grow and flourish, this is what we aim to achieve,” said Mr Wakiaga.
Wakiaga also revealed that the KFS has plans to establish a community forest service (CFS) to increase forest cover in Migori County, one of the counties with the lowest forest cover.
“As America Tower Corporation, we have been collaborating with KFS who are our landlords to help conserve the lands where we have erected our masts. We are committed to ensuring that we play our part in protecting the environment,”
Koome
Mbela Mutua, the Deputy County Commissioner of Suna West, while speaking at the event noted that in collaboration with the community members, they had planted 2,000 trees in the Nyasoko Forest.
This he says was aided by the support of ATC, KFS, and other NGOs such as One Acre Fund.
Mbela revealed that before the planting exercise at Nyasoko forest, they had already planted 160,000 trees in Suna West alone.
“We have planted 2000 trees today in this gazetted Nyasoko Forest. This was due to collaboration between ATC, KFS and the community members, and we are looking forward to doing more in partnership with NGOs like One Acre Fund,” he said
Conservation initiatives
Isaac Koome FROM ATC reiterated their commitment to environmental conservation and explained that tree planting was part of their conservation plans across the country.
He stated that ATC collaborated with KFS to conserve lands where they erected their masts.
We will not allow anyone to mess with these young trees. As a community, our main will no be to protect them at all costs
Omondi
“As America Tower Corporation, we have been collaborating with KFS who are our landlords to help conserve the lands where we have erected our masts. We are committed to ensuring that we play our part in protecting the environment,” he stated
The tree-planting exercise incorporated local leaders and community members who expressed their unwavering commitment to protecting the newly planted trees.
Benson Omondi, a community member, stated that they would safeguard the trees at all costs and sent a warning to any community member who will be found destroying the forest.
Omondi also noted that it is their sole responsibility to protect the Forest as they will be the immediate beneficiaries from it when it starts to catch the rain.
“We will not allow anyone to mess with these young trees. As a community, our main will no be to protect them at all costs,” said Omondi.
This tree-planting exercise is a step towards promoting environmental conservation and reforestation which are also directed towards addressing climate change.
By bringing together different stakeholders, the initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships in achieving common environmental conservation goals.
It is hoped that this event will inspire other organizations and communities to take up similar initiatives to conserve the environment
KTMN Reporter