The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced that teachers will lead in planting 1 million trees to commemorate World Teachers’ Day.
Speaking to the press at Bungoma High School on Wednesday, Western Region Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director Wilson Koros stated that teachers have taken the initiative to assist the government in achieving its target of planting 15 billion trees nationwide.
“We have gathered here at Bungoma High School to launch World Teachers Day, an event that will happen on Sunday, 5th, where teachers will take part in planting trees to boost forest cover in the region,” Koros noted.
Koros further affirmed that the event won’t only happen in Bungoma but nationally.
“Even every Sub-County is doing theirs with each teacher expected to plant five fruit trees in the whole republic,” he said.
The regional director further affirmed that they have decided to plant fruit trees in consideration of the nation’s health.
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“We want to improve the nutritional value through planting trees,” Koros stated.
Bungoma County Forest Conservator, Erick Abungu, in his address, stated that Bungoma targets planting 19.3 million trees in the Mt. Elgon ecosystem, as well as institutions and people’s homesteads, as a move to mitigate the effects of climate change in the region.
He also stated that 30 per cent of the 15 billion trees planted in President William Ruto’s drive should be fruit trees.
The head of state is leading the tree-planting exercise to ensure that by 2032, Kenya will have achieved its 15 billion trees target. He cited the Avocado fruit, which has high export demand and boosts human health.
Abungu, however, added that as Kenyans plant trees, he highlights the need to incorporate fruit trees, noting that fruits play a pivotal role in improving the livelihoods and the health of people.
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Additionally, Abungu revealed that Bungoma has a target of planting 19.3 million trees annually.
Currently, in our tree nurseries, we have 4.2 million seedlings. I would urge Bungoma residents to visit any Kenya Forest Service (KFS) group and Individual tree nurseries so that you can pick seedlings to plant,” he said.
He affirmed that the seedlings are offered at subsidised prices at all Kenya Forest Service (KFS) tree nurseries. Abungu notes that the Kenya Forest Service’s mandate is to protect, conserve, and manage ecosystems sustainably.
He further reported that the current tree cover in Bungoma County is 22.04 per cent, adding that they target to raise tree cover to 30 per cent by 2032.
“Therefore, it is your and my responsibility to ensure that we raise the total number of trees within our county so that we attain the 30 per cent tree cover,” he said.
He says that climate change effects have hit everybody, asserting the need for concerted efforts to deal with the global crisis.
He pointed out that the negative impact of deforestation has led to drying of streams, rivers and dams in the region.
He affirmed that they are determined to help the government achieve its target of planting 15 billion trees within a five-year period, noting that their organisation’s goal is to ensure that they grow one billion trees for a greener future.
By Tony Wafula
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