Vihiga County Executive Committee Member in-charge of Environment, Water, Energy and Natural Resources Resources Prof. Inonda Mwanje led Vihiga residents in tree planting exercise in the area.
Mwanje was in the company of Chief Officer County department of Environment Mrs. Immaculate Simiyu and Kenya forest service officers in Vihiga County and over 2300 indigenous tree seedlings were planted.
The residents who were supplied with free tree seedlings planted trees at Nganyi and Oluchira shrines and the Ebusiekwe hill in West Bunyore ward which is government green forest cover reserve.
Prof. Mwanje said the exercise will be continuous to ensure Vihiga County goes green in the next two years to promote eco-cover and protect environment.
This comes barely a few weeks after Luanda MP Chris Omulele launched a programme which will see youths in Luanda constituency in Vihiga County plant over five million tree seedlings during this rain season with aim of conserving environment.
The youths will be able to plant trees in various parts of the constituency under Luanda Youth Empowerment Project initiative.
Omulele while addressing hundreds of youths during the launch said they will partner with Kenya Forestry and Research Institute (KEFRI) to supply tree seedlings for the project.
Omulele said KEFRI will monitor and facilitate the exercise of tree planting as part of the long term strategy to inculcate in youth the culture of tree growing and environmental conservation.
The MP said there is need of protecting environment by planting tree to mitigate on the droughts and other environmental calamities.
“I have launched Luanda Youth Empowerment Project initiative which will see youths participate directly in the environmental conservation by planting trees. We have partnered with KEFRI who will provide the seeds and seedlings which will be planted in all areas on the constituency,” said Omulele.
The MP said there are various varieties of trees which will be planted in Luanda which will also have economic hale to the residents.
He said the trees that will be planted will be of many use including those for timber, fuel, livestock fodder, fruits, Medicinal, control of fall army worm, life fencing around homesteads among other uses.
Omulele added that Bamboo species will be planted along rivers to stabilize river banks and to conserve water catchment areas.