Thousand of acres in Mau, Mt.Kenya, and Aberdare and Karura forests have gone up in wildfire during this month. On Tuesday, the Minister for Forestry and Wildlife Noah Wekesa estimated that the country has lost over Kshs.65m this year in forest fires. While to an extent this could be true, ecologically the loss cannot be easily quantified.
The forested area in Kenya is estimated at 1.7%.This is alarming considering that UNEP recommends at least 10% forest cover to ensure an ecological balance. For a couple of decades, Kenyans have deforested and encroached on water sources and wetlands and have consequently dealt the environment a major blow.
As a matter of urgency, Kenyans need to reverse this destructive lifestyle that continues to put this nation and neighboring countries at grave danger of desertification. It is the high time they listen to the environmentalists more than the politicians.
The Government should embark on a massive afforestation campaign to safeguard future generations. All public holidays should be dedicated to this purpose to underline the importance of conservation. This shouldn’t be a great challenge to a population of about 38million.
It is also important that the government put in place strict legislations to punish those individuals who are hell-bent on destruction of environment in whatever manner.
James Mwangi Kanyi
Nairobi
