Government launches Integrated Landscape Management project to revitalize Mt. Elgon ecosystem

By Robert Mutasi 

What was a major step in environmental conservation saw the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Aden Duale, and Bungoma Governor H.E Ken Lusaka launch the Integrated Landscape Management Project earlier today. 

The project focuses on the highly critical Mt. Elgon Ecosystem, which has faced constant threats from human activities and environmental degradation.

It involves expanding the Kaberua Tree Nursery in Kapsokwony to become a greatly expanded hub for this project.

The other ambitious undertaking involves doubling the size of the nursery area from one acre to two acres, thanks to support through an allocation of 620 million Kenyan shillings.

It's not only about expanding the space but will be an expansion that targets efficient production, increasing the annual output of the facility from the current 500,000 seedlings to a high of one million.

"The Kaberua Tree Nursery will form a critical part of our engagement in the restoration of degraded parts of Mt. Elgon Forest," Duale said during the launch.

He added that the move is in tandem with the government's bigger project, the 15 Billion National Tree Growing Programme, which increases tree cover in the country.

The Integrated Landscape Management for Conservation and Restoration of the Mt. Elgon Forest Ecosystem Project is a joint initiative of KFS and Kaberua CFA.

The overall effect of their efforts is envisioned to bring about new employment opportunities in tree nursery operations and other activities allied to forest conservation, hence giving a boost to the local economy.

Duale also declared a total ban on all forms of cultivation in natural forests. 

This order marks a stronger assurance of this government's promise to protect the ecosystems of forests and biodiversity.

"We have to conserve the natural resources, and the ban will save our forests from agricultural and settlement pressures," he added.

Mt. Elgon Ecosystem is of ecological importance not only to the people living within and around the mountain but culturally and economically.

Hopefully, this will inspire other similar projects across the country to sensitize people of the need to have friendly practices with the environment.

The Reaction of the Local Community and Environmentalists The community and environmentalists' reception of this initiative has been largely welcoming as an overdue intervention against environmental degradation.

In fact, it is perceived to play a very important role throughout the whole process in the area's revival in protecting the environment and the residents' livelihood.