Green Schools- 1 million trees planting in schools

Environmental protection project

Forest cover has declined at an alarming rate in the past few years in Kenya. This unwelcome development can be attributed to a number of factors including increased human settlements, agricultural activities, and mega development projects (Lamu Port, Standard Gauge Railway, and Roads) among others. Despite the rapid loss of forest cover, very little (if any) is being done to salvage the situation.

Unlike during the 1990s when rallying calls encouraging citizens to plant trees were frequently made by national leaders, such calls are almost non-existent nowadays. In fact, tree felling, encroachment on forests and water catchment areas have become the norm, and leaders seem not to be reading from the same script when these issues come up. One would be tempted to think that some of our leaders are part of the cartels that orchestrate and perpetuate some of these destructive activities. Our Country is now on the verge of losing its forest cover and water catchment areas. To avert the looming disaster, relevant actors including the government must institute urgent and pragmatic measures to address the problem.

In the past two months of 2018, different parts of the County have experienced prolonged drought and heatwaves; a clear indication that environmental degradation is starting to affect livelihoods and quality of life. Climate change which was a jargon to many locals a few years back and a topic for discussion by elites in Boardrooms and conferences, is now a household topic; feared, and discussed openly by locals who bear the brunt of its effects.

Farmers can no longer predict rainfall patterns, and when they do, it is more likely the crops will fail as a result of inadequate or excessive rainfall. Prolonged droughts punctuated with short periods of heavy rains leading to flooding and further destruction of vegetation are experienced yearly.

Haki Centre organization through its networks comprising of schools and community groups plans to plant over 1,000,000 trees within the coastal region of Kenya. This massive tree planting exercise aims at increasing forest cover in the country. It is our belief that the impact of 1 million trees will not only be felt in the Coast region, but also across the country and beyond, significantly reducing the Country’s carbon footprints.

We kindly request your contribution of whatever amount towards the success of this project