A KSHS 15 MILLION BOOST FOR NGONG HILLS FOREST

"plant a future" brings together Kenya
Airways, Coca-Cola, Rolls Royce and KLM

Coastweek
5-1-09

The long awaited Mau forest complex task force report is ready and is awaiting tabling before cabinet for further deliberation.

Forestry and Wildlife Minister, Hon Noah Wekesa disclosed this during a tree planting exercise in Ngong Hills, saying, the report would be tabled by the Prime Minister once the cabinet reconvenes so that the reforestation of the heavily exploited water tower can begin in earnest.

"My ministry has already drafted a plan of action to rehabilitate Mau forest, but we can not implement it, till the prime minister presents before cabinet the recommendations made by the Mau complex taskforce committee," said Wekesa.

The Minister ruled out allegations that the forestry department was already carrying out forced evictions in the Mau forest contrary to an agreement with ODM to await the recommendations of the taskforce committee, pointing out, "the forestry department is only preventing fresh settlers from invading the already heavily exploited forest."

Wekesa was responding to a plea made by his Internal Security Counterpart, Hon. George Saitoti who asked the Forestry and Wildlife Minister to look for an alternative area to settle the current inhabitants of Mau forest so as to save the country and the East Africa region from the effects of heavy deforestation going on in the Mau complex.

"Rivers in my constituency, ewaso nyiro and in the region are drying up because of the deforestation going on in Mau forest.

"Can we please find a place to settle the Mau settlers for the sake of the country," said Saitoti.

Saitoti made the remarks during the "plant a future", tree planting exercise held in Ngong Hills, presided over by Hon. Noah Wekesa.

During the exercise over 120,000 indigenous tree seedlings worth Kshs 15 million, were planted in an initiative dubbed the "plant a future campaign."

The "plant a future" initiative which brings together Kenya Airways, Coca-Cola, Rolls Royce and KLM in this environmental collaboration was launched in April 2007.

Speaking during the tree planting ceremony, Hon. Noah Wekesa, who was the guest of honour, said his ministry had embarked on a massive tree planting exercise, which would see 60 million trees planted by the end of year across the country.

"Our goal is to attain the magical 10 per cent forest cover across the country as opposed to the current 1 per cent," said Wekesa.

The Ngong Forest ecosystem which supports most of the rivers and springs that feed into Nairobi 's Central Business District water supply has suffered extensive damage in the last 12 years.

Kenya Airways which currently flies to over 30 destinations has contributed over Kshs 25 million to the "Plant a Future" initiative in the last three years.

This project targets not only the environment but also water, health and education. KQ CEO, Titus Naikuni said, "Kenya Airways' participation is fuelled by our commitment to protecting an ecosystem that is directly on our flight path and also because of the high success rate of the seedlings planted last year."

Only indigenous tree seedlings have been planted in the last two years owing to their unique soil erosion protection abilities.

Also participating, was leading engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce.

The company whose jet engines can be found in the fleets of most leading airlines including those of Kenya Airways has used its "engineering expertise to reduce aircraft fuel burn by 70 per cent and noise by 75 per cent".

Speaking on this initiative, Metin Oktay, Customer Business Director for Rolls-Royce said, "At Rolls-Royce we are determined to be a part of the solution to the environmental challenge before us."

"Playing our part here today is a clear step forward on that journey, and we congratulate the people of Kenya for continuing to develop this fantastic planting scheme," he added.

Speaking on behalf of Coca-Cola, Kelvin Balogun, the East Africa Franchise General Manager noted that there was heightened public awareness of global climate change and its impact on water, biodiversity, agriculture and human health.

"Companies, public and private sectors and civil society must put policies and governance structures to help manage environmental issues in a sustainable way," Mr Balogun said.

"Coca-Cola has developed a sustainable view to environmental protection and around the world, we have been committed to this cause for over half a century," he said.

Other partners include, Kenya Wildlife Services, the University of Nairobi Forestry Department, the Forestry Department and the local community.

The project is in its third consecutive year.

The first phase, in April 2007 saw 130,000 indigenous tree seedlings planted, while in the second phase in April 2008 200,000 indigenous trees seedlings were planted in the forest.

Naikuni said there has been significant progress in the first and second phases of the project, "which has witnessed a 90 per cent success rate."

The Ngong Forest catchment area requires 3 million indigenous trees to fully recover.

Experts estimate that Kenya must plant over seven billion trees to achieve the minimum 10 percent forest cover recommended by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).
 
The experts reckon that over the years, Kenya 's forest cover has reduced to less than 2 per cent of her land area, with most of the damage attributed to illegal logging.

Article at:  http://www.coastweek.com/3218-19.htm