Involvement of media houses in tree planting has succeeded in
reigniting interest among Kenyans on the importance of restoring
forest cover.

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Director Mr David Mbugua said the media as
disseminators of information had exposed the dangers of depletion of
forest cover where erosion, climate change and reduced food production
were now the norm.

Mr Mbugua was speaking at Marmanet forest when he presided over the
launch of the tree planting season involving local media practitioners
assisted by residents and members of various Conservation lobby
groups.

The Nation Media and Royal Media groups have been at the forefront in
mobilizing Kenyans to plant trees within Mau Forest and Marmanet
forest respectively.

Marmanet forest has since been zoned out as it is the source of water
for numerous streams that flow towards Nyandarua and Baringo counties
pouring their waters into River Ewaso Ng’iro and Lake Baringo.

Mr Mbugua blamed illegal grazers for continued depletion of grass and
bush cover in forests due to overgrazing of livestock during the dry
period.

“Self help groups are encouraged to start tree nurseries as a business
that will enable them earn handsome returns as we are committed to
restoring forest cover within forests and in private farms. The demand
for timber and firewood surparsses supply and it is upon us to grab
this opportunity to earn an honest income,” he said.

30,000 hectares at Manduguni forest in the Coast province has been
recovered from grabbers and is now being restored as a show of
commitment by KFS.

Mr Mbugua added that  illegal settlers were to blame for the continued
destruction of the forests resulting in increased soil erosion on
hilly sections thereby exposing people living downstream to the risk
of landslides.