Why you should consider planting trees in Nakuru this rainy season
Prisoners at Nakuru GK prison participate in a tree planting exercise on November 13, 2023.
As we continue to grapple with the ravaging effects of the rain, it may be a good time for individuals to partake in tree planting exercises.
You know the ones you keep postponing because of “ooh hakuna mvua” “ooh nani atamwagilia maji?”
But not just any trees- selecting the right species is crucial for maximizing the benefits of this opportune moment according to an environmental expert.
Catherine Kariuki, an Environmental Scientist, notes that with the ongoing rains, we must continue with tree planting activities although there is an existing lack of awareness of the right species to plant.
“It is very important to know which trees fit where. There are species designated for different areas. Trees designated for arid and semi-arid (ASAL) areas are different from the ones planted in highlands. Unfortunately, the masses are not aware of this. There needs to be more public education and guidance on the species of trees to be planted,” Ms Kariuki adds.
She reiterates that the time is ripe for planting trees as moist soil conditions reduce the need for excessive watering and ease the burden on both resources and labour.
She adds that the runoffs experienced across the county may largely be blamed on the lack of trees as our lands are bare. This makes it unable to stop or slow down the water as trees/ forests act as sponges.
“Our biggest problem is the lack of land use system plans that demarcate forest, urban, agricultural, and ASAL lands which have aggravated the issues of deforestation among other things. We need land use systems to be put in place and to be enforced so that land designated for forestry and agriculture is left for that and is not so much subdivided to come up with unnecessary urban areas.”
Ms Kariuki highlights a shortfall in funding that has yet to reach local communities directly involved in grassroots tree-planting efforts and calls upon relevant authorities to expedite the distribution of these funds to encourage and support the exercise.