Residents of Mariaini have been warned against planting Eucalyptus trees near their households and farms in an effort to retain fertility of soil and conserve the environment.
Beatrice Mueni , Gatundu North sub county environment and health officer noted that Eucalyptus trees consume a lot of water degrading soil fertility meant for crops growth.
She revealed that the trees also consume a lot of water leaving farmer’s wells and boreholes dry.
Speaking after giving food stuffs to Wide Vision Children’s home in Mariaini on Saturday, the officer advised farmers to plants the trees far from rivers, away from homesteads and farming areas.
"Eucalyptus trees grow very fast and farmers can make quick cash out of the farming but the biggest problem is that they consume a lot of water leaving farmers land with less nutrients which include water and manure," she observed.
"It is a nice business venture if farmers will plant the trees far from crops farming areas, away from rivers and wells as well as far from homesteads," she advised.
Mueni cited that environment conservation was a responsibility of all residents reminding them to clear grasses to avoid spread of mosquito.
"Please also cut grasses. I know it rained and our animals have bumper harvests but let it not be near homesteads, cut it off to avoid mosquito spread that will later cause Malaria to you," she told farmers.
Mueni lauded Mariaini resident’s efforts to celebrate Christmas by remembering the unfortunate by giving them food.
She was accompanied by area assistant chief Samuel Ng’ang’a and residents who offered food stuffs and clothes to Vision Wide children’s home.