Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has warned of worrying trends in deforestation in Garissa and Wajir Counties.
In a statement on Monday September 30,2024, Duale called upon the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide alternative sources of fuel energy to curb the situation.
“As the agency with the global mandate to manage refugee affairs, UNHCR must urgently provide alternative sources of fuel energy to refugees and host communities to halt the ongoing destruction,” Duale cited in part.
He further lamented, “I am deeply concerned by the massive clearing of trees and vegetation around our refugee camps in Garissa and Wajir Counties for wood fuel, a massive deforestation that has been going on for many years.”
Moreover, he highlighted the uncontrolled destruction of the Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL) ecosystem citing that it is exposing residents to adverse effects of climate change.
The CS affirmed that the deforestation practice is hampering the government’s efforts of restoring Kenya’s degraded landscapes by growing 15 billion trees by the year 2032.
Also Read:4 Key Roles Duale Will Play at UNGA Session in New York
Duale on Tree Planting Initiative
Kenya stands out as one of the countries that is deeply investing in tree planting initiatives for a green country by 2032 as hinted by CS Duale.
The initiative aims at reducing the adverse effects caused by climate change such as drought in the ASAL areas. Almost five million people in Kenya are affected by climate change leading to severe starvation to lack of food.
To curb the situation, the administration of President William Ruto embarked on a massive tree planting exercise that aims at protecting the future generations from the threatening climate crisis in the coming days.
Through the program, the government looks forward to planting up to 15 billion trees in both urban and rural areas.
The government’s fucus is to promote agroforestry, reforestation and afforestation by 2032.
The tree planting initiative spearheaded by President Ruto and foreseen by other stakeholders in the environment sector such as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is one of the measures to address the crisis.
Also Read: CS Duale Issues Fresh Orders Over Pollution of Nairobi River
National Tree Planting Holidays
On Friday May 10, 2024, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration issued a notice declaring a national tree planting holiday.
The notice elaborated on how climate change is posing an existential threat to national security, public safety and the ecological sustainability of Kenya.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Friday, 10th May 2024, a Public Holiday for purposes of countrywide tree growing activities,” the gazette notice read in part.
Further, the notice acknowledged that tree growing is the singular long-term solution to the climate crisis and its devastating effects on life and livelihoods.
Therefore, whatever is going on in Garissa and Wajir counties subverts the efforts being put by the Government of Kenya in dealing with the climate change crisis. This has prompted Duale, the Cabinet Secretary Environment and Forestry to call on UNHCR to provide alternative sources of fuel energy to refugee camps to avoid deforestation and its effects.
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