Qwetu sacco donates 1800 seedlings to boost tree planting efforts in Taita-Taveta County

 





  Qwetu Sacco has donated 1,800 tree seedlings to boost environmental and forest conservation efforts in Taita-Taveta County as one of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The seedlings comprise both indigenous and exotic species, the former being the most preferred for soil conservation and the latter for their quick maturity.

Speaking at Taita-Taveta University on the sidelines of a two day stakeholders workshop organized by Taita-Taveta Wash &Environment Coordination Forum, Qwetu Sacco CEO Mr Charles Kaba said local communities and stakeholders in conservation should take advantage of the onset of the rainy season to plant as many trees as they can.

“The rains being received at the moment are a great blessing for us and we must seize this opportunity and plant as many trees as possible” said Mr Kaba.

He pointed out that despite the county having an appreciable forest cover especially on the hilly areas, there was need to plant more trees while regulating the exploitation of forest resources such as through firewood cutting and charcoal burning.

“Our beautiful hills are the water catchment areas that provide water to communities living on the semi arid lowlands as well as wildlife in the national parks and it’s our obligation to ensure that they are conserved and replenished” the CEO said.

He pointed out water catchments such as Mwamusha in Mbololo location were critical as it serves Kighombo dam, the local community and learning institutions such as the Taita-Taveta University.

“Communities living around Mwamusha area have been very excited about our seedlings donations as they will use them to restore the degraded areas which will in turn ensure that the water source remains intact” said Kaba.

The CEO called upon both the national and county governments as well as NGOs and private sector players to join hands to ensure that all seedlings planted are protected and nurtured to maturity.

“It’s one thing to plant trees and quite another to ensure that they survive to maturity. It requires our collective effort to ensure this becomes possible” he said.

He pointed out that there was need for the county government to come up with an enforcement unit that would ensure the protection of the seedlings as well as providing incentives to local youths to work as forest scouts to protect the trees from destructive exploitation and marauding animals.

Speaking during the event Qwetu Sacco Marketing Manager Mr Evans Otieno reiterated the sacco’s commitment in supporting environmental initiatives such as tree planting as ones of its corporate social responsibilities.

Mr Otieno urged local communities to plant more trees while harvesting less to ensure that the forest cover is not depleted.

He challenged sacco members to use part of their savings to purchase seedlings and plant on their farms as one way of boosting the tree cover in the area, adding that learning institutions should also take part in similar initiatives.

“Climate change is a real threat to the survival of millions of people and one way this can be mitigated is through concerted efforts in tree planting and forest conservation” he said.

Mr Otieno pointed out that it was the obligation for all residents of Taita-Taveta County to be environmental ambassadors and ensure that they leave behind a conducive and attractive environment for future generations.

…et


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