This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
Kenya's government has set a target of 10 per cent forest cover by 2022, and Migori County is working to meet this goal. As of now, the region has only 0.6 per cent forest cover.
County Ecosystem Conservator Joseph Wakiaga has stated that the region aims to increase its forest cover to 10 per cent as soon as possible. This year's theme, 'Panda Miti, Boresha Maisha,' emphasizes the importance of tree planting in conserving the environment.
During a recent tree planting exercise, over 100 tree seedlings were planted outside the Migori police station. The event was attended by Suna East Deputy County Commissioner (DDC) Kibe Maguta, who emphasized the county's goal of planting 15,000 seedlings during the ongoing rainy season.
Maguta noted that Migori has a total of 2,580 hectares of gazetted forest cover but needs to make extra efforts to reach the target of 10 per cent forest cover by 2022. He also mentioned that farm demonstrations across the county have managed to plant 15,000 seedlings between January and March 2021.
Maguta stated that Nyatike Constituency alone had planted 50,000 seedlings during the dry season and 50 acres of trees in the same constituency had been regenerating after tree harvesting. He also mentioned that Equity Bank and British America Tobacco (BAT) have agreed to partner with the county to achieve the 10 per cent forest cover target.
Maguta lauded the Kazi Mtaani Youths and the Kenya Red Cross for helping public institutions like schools, colleges, and hospitals in planting over 18,000 trees. He urged area residents to embrace the culture of planting trees as a retirement package for future use.
As of now, a total of 104,000 trees have been planted in the county, with the aim of reaching 133,000 trees during the ongoing rainy season.
