State allows other players in Ecosystems restorations

Apr 13, 2023 - 11:04

Head of National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign Ms. Linda Kosgei, addresses the media at Nakuru’s Nyao Gradens shortly after the launch of Terra Fund, meant to boost land restoration efforts in the country. Looking on is Elgeyo Marakwet governor Wesley Rotich (left) and Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones (right). [Pictures by Anne Sabuni]

Nakuru Wednesday April 12, 2023

K.N.A By Anne Sabuni

The government has mapped out community land and forests for community-based organizations and corporate groups to adopt, as Funds are extended to them for restoration initiatives.

Through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the government will avail the ecosystems for both state and non-state actors to adopt for a period of three years, allowing time to grow and nurture trees.

Speaking in Nakuru, when she joined the World Resources Institute (WRI) in launching the TERRA Fund that will be available for restoration groups to take advantage of, Head of National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign Ms. Linda Kosgei, noted that with as little as Shs.30, 000, a group would adopt up to 10 acres’ ecosystem and cater for purchase of seedlings, watering of the trees and weeding each year, until the trees are mature enough to sustain themselves.

“The president has committed to planting 15 million trees to raise the tree cover from 10 to 30 percent in 10 years according to the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration plan. By bringing partners such as the WRI on board, the country will be able to reach its target of restoring its ecosystems.

Deputy Director for WRI- Africa Ms. Rebecca Shirley, regretted that already 65 percent of arable land in Africa was too damaged to sustain any meaningful agricultural activities, rallying groups to take up the funds to stop further degradation.

“The funds to a tune of USD 12 Million will go towards restoring about 25, 000 hectares of land in the Greater Rift Valley in Kenya, as well as Lake Kivu and Rusizi river basin in Rwanda, in a bid to seize about 3.77 tons of carbon dioxide that was causing climate change,” said Shirley.

Shirley noted that the global nonprofit organization would support restoration champions through direct financing, securing policies and capacity building as well as monitoring and evaluating the impact, with a focus on the landscape level, where 70 percent of the targeted land is managed by communities.

In attendance Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich rallied community forest association, schools and community-based organizations to plug into the programme that ensured that people earned a meaningful livelihood while maintaining the environment.

“In the past, we have seen people get money by exploiting trees and other natural resources that have led to environmental degradation and climate change.

Now, we have a programme that will ensure we earn a living, while maintaining the environment, which is actually our priority,” added Mr. Rotich, calling on the fund to have a bias towards initiatives by youths and women.

One Tree Planted founder Teresia Muthoni, whose organization has partnered with WRI to vet applicants for the funding called on groups to seek support in writing proposals and furnishing their ideas for better funding, arguing that the funds were meant to benefit all.

Nakuru Deputy Governor, David Kones, while calling on the residents to plant trees in all available spaces, noted that the funds would go a long way in mitigating climate change that had seen water levels in Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha rise, uncontrollably.

Courtesy K.N.A