By FLORA AWINJA.
A project to restore degraded forests and destroyed trees has been launched in Kwale county.
Restore Africa is an environmental conservation project being implemented by World Vision and Conservation Alive Kenya (CoAKe).
The project is aimed at benefiting 65,000 farmers from LungaLunga, Msambweni, Matuga and Kinango sub-counties.
The farmers will earn an income for conserving trees and forests through Carbon credits.
Farmers who will be involved in the project will be planting indigenous and fruit trees.
According to CoAKe director Salim Mohammed, 60% of the trees will be newly planted while 40% will be regeneration of the trumps of cut down trees.
“The cut down trees will be brought to life again through the assisted natural regeneration. When planting new trees, we will do it by digging zai pits to ensure all the water is retained in the pits and help the growth of the seedlings” he said.
Salim said they are targeting to plant four million trees where farmers trade in the carbon credits with ready buyers in the global market.
Kwale county government director of environment Joseph Indo said that the county government has sets aside 2% of its annual budget towards mitigating climate change.
“We have passed a law that has established a climate change fund where we have to set aside 2% of the development budget to cater for environment conservation” he said.
Locals who will be involved in the project expressed their excitement with the project saying it will enhance the work being done by Kwale Ecosystem Community Forest Association.
Hill Park hotel sales manager Rosemary Mirugi encouraged other investors to plant more trees in their facilities to provide a conducive environment to visitors and tourists.
“Trees are good because even if domestic tourists complain of the hot sun when they visit this area they can stroll to the beach and breathe the fresh air” she said.
