The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Chris Kiptoo has revealed that the government has identified a total of four thousand eight hundred schools across the nation that will be used to help raise tree nurseries.
Kiptoo affirmed that the government through its national tree planting strategy which is being implemented currently is targeting schools to help raise the seedlings as a way of conserving the environment to achieve 30% forest cover.
He cited that as at now the forest cover for the country stands at 12.3% thus is making a good progress and that is why they have a national tree planting strategy being implemented.
He affirmed that the government through his Ministry is focusing on trees because climate change is a reality and it has a big problem of climate changes like prolonged drought periods, floods and rising temperatures which is really impacting lives thus need to ensure the forest cover is increased to help deal with this climatic changes.
“So far we are at 12.3% forest cover and our target as a Country is to at least achieve the 30% of it to mitigate climate changes.” He added.
The PS said they have started the program in schools because pupils and students needs to learn matters on environment to gain knowledge on how to conserve the environment in future.