Gituamba Ward MCA has called upon residents of Maria-ini and Mataara Sub-Location to plant trees on the valleys of River Chania to prevent soil erosion.
Speaking at Maria-ini Primary School on Monday during the launch of a tree planting exercise championed by the Kenya Forest Service, Samuel Ng'ang'a urged residents to plant more trees to restore the tree cover the area used to enjoy few years ago.
"The valleys of River Chania were like a forest not many years ago. But now almost all the trees are gone including the indigenous ones that used to have medicinal and sacred values,” said Ng'ang'a.
Ng'ang'a attributed the massive cut down of trees in the area to tea factories that have been buying firewood from residents, without encouraging them to plant more.
"The manner in which factories have been buying firewood from residents has almost rendered this place a desert,” he said.
The MCA noted that continued cutting down of trees without replacement could affect the area's climate negatively to the disadvantage of the residents.