Environment CS Prof. Judy Wakhungu addressing a county sensitization workshop on Water Tower Protection and Climate Change Mitigation Programme in Eldoret on December 19, 2017. [Photo: Facebook/ County government of Uasin Gishu]
Devolved units have been asked to partner with stakeholders and community forest associations in a bid to conserve existing forests and help improve forest cover across the country.
Speaking during the second day of the County sensitization workshop on Water Tower Protection and Climate Change Mitigation Programme at Boma Inn Eldoret, on Tuesday, Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Prof. Judy Wakhungu said that forests are the main sources of water in the county hence need to be conserved.
She pointed out that Water Towers and their ecosystems are paramount for the productivity and success of other key sectors in the county.
"We need sufficient water for agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, livestock, wildlife, water and energy sectors to flourish," noted Prof. Wakhungu.
The CS further noted that the country has a rich natural resources base but was quick to point out that it has been undermined by various human activities among them deforestation through conversion to other land uses like agriculture, encroachment for settling, illegal logging, charcoal burning and unsustainable use of forest resources through overgrazing.
She, however, expressed optimism that the sh3.6 Water Tower Protection and Climate Change Mitigation Programme being funded by the European Union (EU) will help conserve ecosystems for two of the five main water towers in the country, Mt. Elgon and Cherangani Hills.
The four-year project is being implemented in 11 counties that are within the two ecosystems with each of the counties set to receive sh16.2 million to fund various initiatives that would contribute to the ecosystems conservation.
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