Destruction of forests worries Unep

By Peter Orengo

Kenya joined the international community in celebrating the World Forest Day, with the UN calling on the Government to measure development progress in terms of its natural resources.

Unep Executive Director Achim Steiner, who graced the occasion at Karura, warned politics could foil the country’s target of 10 per cent forest cover by 2030.

"Unless ministers include ecological infrastructure in measuring economic development, the achievement of the 10 per cent target may not be possible," said Steiner, after joining leaders and diplomats in planting trees at Karura.

He appealed to Kenyans reject leaders protecting people plundering the country’s resources.

Stealing resources

"While I applaud a section of Kenyans who have embraced tree planting with vigour, forests still continue to be destroyed. Those doing this should be considered stealing from Kenya," said the Unep boss.

Forestry Minister Noah Wekesa said the Government recognises sustainable management of forested ecosystems as a task requiring co-ordination between it, the international community and private sector. "We have began taking a cross-sectoral approach in forest recovery considering the many functions and value they have in our society," said Dr Wekesa.

He said the Government had prepared a proposal on Reduction Emissions through Deforestation and Degradation (REDDS+), which would help Kenya earn money through planting of forests.

This would be followed by development of a national strategy on Climate Change.

The minister praised initiatives of individuals and organisations investing in tree planting in towns and Government forests, and intimated a plan was underway to recognise them.

"In recognition of the International Year of Forests, we are launching a campaign to recognise and champion the "Unsung Heroes" who have made outstanding contributions within their communities in forests conservation and management," said the minister.

He called on counties to facilitate discussions on the development of action plans on forest conservation.

Kenya must plant 384 million trees yearly if it has to reach its target of 10 per cent by 2030.

Currently the forest cover stands at 1.7 per cent, while a recent global map on the world’s forest indicate it has a tree cover of only 6 per cent.