The Kenya Forest Service is set to conduct sensitisation programmes on deforestation to Garissa residents.

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These programmes will be conducted in Garissa because the residents of the county have been reported to engage in large scale charcoal burning.

The illegal trading of charcoal has been cited as the major cause of deforestation that is a threat to the existence of natural forests in the region.

With a unique project dubbed 'Wise Red+,' the state agency has issued that it will attempt to change the behaviour of residents so as to minimise local dependence on charcoal.

The project seeks to sensitise communities and other environmental stakeholders on the dangers of deforestation and also forest degradation.

Implemented by the International Unions for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and East African Wildlife Societies (EAWLS), the government said it will use the lessons adopted from the project to help guide the national Redd+ strategy and processes.

Working with the local communities, the Kenya Forest Service and Indigenous People Wise Redd+ project will strive to address the issue by protecting the remaining forests.

This will be achieved by promoting profitable farming practices, sensitising community stakeholders on sustainable forest management exercises.

It will further emphasise on diversifying income generating activities so as to curb the dependency of charcoal burning as source of livelihood.