Kianga: Protect natural resources

By Ally Jamah

The military considers environmental degradation a national security threat that could ignite conflict.

Chief of General Staff Jeremiah Kianga said on Wednesday most border conflicts are ignited by competition for scarce natural resources.

In his speech at Karura Forest after receiving an environmental award from Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, Gen Kianga called for policies to protect natural resources.

"The soldier is the best defender of our national borders, but the tree is best defender of our insecurity within the borders. We need to fight against environmental degradation," he said.

He cited conflicts in arid and semi-arid areas, especially in North Eastern fuelled by scarce resources like water and pasture.

"The rate of environmental degradation in the past few decades has been very high, with rivers drying up and loss of pasture. This presents a huge challenge of breeding insecurity," he said.

Green Belt awarded soldiers and military units that are participating in the Environmental Soldier Programme, where they plant millions of trees across the country

Prof Maathai said management of natural resources would prevent conflict in the future.

"We need intelligent ways of sharing the little resources we have to avoid conflict. Better governance of our national wealth is necessary," she said.

Forest cover

Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife PS Mwarapayo Mwachai said the Constitution requires that at least 10 per cent of the country be under forest cover and lauded the military for planting trees.

"We urge Kenyans to ensure that at least 10 per cent of their plots or farm land is covered with trees," he said.

Also present at the ceremony was US Ambassador Scott Gration and Acting Director-General of the National Environmental Management Authority Ayub Ndaragwa.

The Green Belt Movement is an indigenous grassroots non-governmental organisation based in Nairobi that takes a holistic approach to development by focusing on environmental conservation, community development and capacity building.

Maathai established the organisation in 1977, under the auspices of the National Council of Women of Kenya.