By Albert Mwangeka
Taita Taveta, Kenya:In a bid to combat climate change and conserve biodiversity, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Tourism and Wildlife, Alfred Mutua, has overseen the planting of 10,000 seedlings in the riparian areas of Lake Jipe, Mata Ward. The CS has also announced plans to plant an additional 15,000 seedlings, aiming to reach a total of 25,000 trees in the area.
This initiative aligns with Governor Andrew Mwadime’s manifesto, which emphasizes environmental conservation within a sustainable framework and the importance of nurturing trees for their survival.
The tree planting exercise is expected to reverse the effects of climate change and ensure the conservation of biodiversity in the area for future generations.
Grantone Mwandawiro, the County Executive Committee Member for Water, Sanitation, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, acknowledged the impact of climate change, which has led to the drying up of Lake Jipe. He expressed optimism that the tree planting initiative would rejuvenate the ecosystem around the area.
Getrude Shuwe, the CECM in charge of Trade, Tourism, Culture, and Industrialization, highlighted the symbiotic relationship between conservation and tourism. She noted that conservation efforts, such as this tree planting initiative, contribute to increasing wildlife populations, which in turn boost tourism. Lake Jipe is known for its rich population of hippos and elephants.
In a final note, CS Mutua promised to fence the Jipe area to mitigate human-wildlife conflict cases, a strategy that aligns with his previous efforts to control negative human-wildlife interactions.
