In a bid to conserve the environment, Kenya Tea Development Authority in conjunction with the local stake holders has embarked on a mission for reforestation of the Cherangany Hill slopes so as to conserve water catchment areas in the region.

More than 50,000 seedlings were planted on a forty acre piece of land acquired by the factory on hill slopes with the locals being handed another 100,000 seedlings to be planted along tea farms and tea catchment areas across the county.

Speaking during the launch the officer in charge of tea planting and development in the North Rift Mr. Charles Muriuki said that tea factories consumed a lot of wood fuel during the tea leaves drying.

Mr. Muriuki noted that KTDA had embarked on a process of promoting green energy and had started regional power plants which among other initiatives are in the process of mini hydro power generation.

In Trans Nzoia County, two sites at Tindinyo Bridge and Kamoi are currently being subjected to optimization in a full feasibility study to see if they can be explored for the hydro power projects.

If the feasibility study comes out as a success, Kapsara will join its sister companies in the region that covers western and North Rift areas to be self power reliant.

The other companies in the region which have established their own power generation include Chebut,Kaptumo and Mudete tea factories .

Although this is good news to the factory and the locals, it is success depends on rainfall performance in the long run thus the need to conserve environment.

Mr. Muriuki congratulated the factory for its certification under rainforest alliance in her recognition of her environment conservation and sustainability efforts.

On his part, the Kapsara tea factory manager Mr. Peter Munialo said that the move will cut the expenses incurred by the factory as they will have adequate supply of the wood fuel which will also help the neighboring communities.

The change in climatic condition has not spared the tea production industry with frequent drought, frost and occasional hail storm damaging the crop.

It is with such issues that the company saw a need in conserving the environment to safe guard the industry from making losses.

The tree planting will run from 23rd April to May 1st and will include all tea planting zones in the country.