Coast

Residents warned against illegal tree cutting for charcoal in Kwale

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha and Kwale Women Representative Fatuma Masito during the National Tree Planting Day at Shimba Hills. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | Friday, May 10, 2024

Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde was directed to bolster security in reserved forests and promote tree planting to mitigate climate change effects.

The government has issued a warning to locals in Kwale County, urging them to cease cutting down trees within reserved forests for charcoal burning.

Rhoda Onyancha, Coast Regional Commissioner, emphasised the need to halt tree-cutting to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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Speaking during the National Tree Planting Day commemorating flood victims, Onyancha highlighted how logging and charcoal burning have devastated wildlife habitats.

She directed Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde to bolster security in reserved forests and promote tree planting to mitigate climate change effects.

Onyancha described how these activities contribute to human-wildlife conflicts, stating, "When animals can't find food in their habitats, they venture into human settlements. Let's halt these illegal practices."

Identifying Kinango and Samburu as hotspots for illegal logging and charcoal burning, she urged local authorities to clamp down on these activities.

She also cautioned against politicising efforts to protect the environment, emphasising the detrimental impact of tree cutting on the ecosystem.

"I know there are some politicians who will wake up and accuse me of preventing people from earning a living, but that is not my intention," she said.

Although President William Ruto lifted the logging ban last July to stimulate economies in forest-dependent regions, tree felling in Kwale County remains prohibited.

Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani highlighted progress in increasing forest cover and called for collective action to realize President Ruto's goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2030.

Governor Fatuma stressed the importance of planting various tree species suited to Kwale's ecological zone to curb carbon emissions, mitigate flooding and drought, and support wildlife.

"We'll persist with tree planting until we fulfil the president's vision," Governor Fatuma affirmed.

Fatuma Masito, Kwale Women Representative, revealed an initiative to plant trees at every county event to expedite tree planting efforts. She urged residents to follow the governor's example, making tree planting a daily practice.

"We should all emulate our governor, planting trees should be part of our daily life," she said.