Forest degradation and deforestation have contributed to climate change calamities like drought and flood.
These are mainly attributed to soil erosion which is caused by cutting trees and forests and overreliance on forest land for agricultural production.
Marsabit County is home to three forest ecosystems and water towers namely Mt Kulal, Hurri Hills and Marsabit Forest.
Mt Kulal forest is managed by the local community supported by the county government of Marsabit.
The county chief officer of Environment and Climate Change Mr Abdullah Sheikh Ismail said destroying the forest will hurt efforts towards achieving food security.
"I have seen the ravages that climate change has had on our people. Let us conserve our natural resources," he said
He said that droughts have become more frequent and severe due to changes in climate.
By addressing the issue of deforestation and degradation, the county government of Marsabit work closely with different stakeholders in putting a policy in place that will enhance forest conservation and management for sustainable development and preservation of lives.
"When we destroy pristine ecosystems like that of Mt Kulal forest, the negative effects become more in areas that are already climatically vulnerable," he added
He called the communities around the forest across the county to guard and keep the forest alive on behalf of others.
"The call for conservation should not be understood as prevention from harnessing but rather finding sustainable ways of using the abundant resources in the forest for the wellbeing of the communities," he said
He challenged each individual around the forests to plant more trees and praised the Mt Kulal community forest association for their noble cause that should be fully supported by all stakeholders.
"We are working together with the Kenya forest service and other stakeholders to ensure that there are planned and regulated tree-cutting activities in our forest as it results in the destruction of the ecosystem," said Abdullah
He said most of the people living around the forest have always encroached into the forestlands leading to the destruction of the natural resource, warning that the government is not ready to lose an inch of land to the people living along the forest.
He said the county government under the leadership of Governor Mohamud Ali will spare no efforts in environmental conservation measures to ensure people's health and safety are safeguarded.
The county government has allocated Sh70 million for climate change mitigation measures.
The chief officer Water Mr Roba Halakhe Galma asked the residents to change their attitudes towards tree planting and increase tree cover in their farms saying many of the indigenous trees have been depleted.
"Many people look at the issue of tree planting as a government concern and yet, it is a concern to all of us to protect the environment for posterity," he said.
He said the forest needs serious protection from human encroachment.
Chief Officer Natural Resources and Wildlife Pauline Marlene urged residents to invest in planting trees to realize sustainable development and fight climate change adding that tree planting reduces the devastating impacts of climate change.
She says tree planting plays an important role in addressing the impacts of climate change and mitigating the effects of climate change besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"Trees are vital to our existence because they provide us with oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and act as the game changer in reversing global warming," she said
She urged residents to adopt tree-planting initiatives not only in institutions but also in their homesteads.
"We need to replenish the ecosystem through the planting of more trees," she added
She asked the local community to plant trees against deforestation and curb the effects of climate change on the environment and to save humanity promising to continue engaging residents, leaders and stakeholders in the protection of the environment from destruction and protect forest cover.
Deputy county commissioner Mr Stephen Mavine said challenges experienced like flooding and drought have been attributed to the destruction of the forests, and noted that Mt Kulal forest is one of the water towers in the county and needs to conserve it.
He called upon the community to not only plant trees in Mt Kulal forest but to adopt the trees to ensure it grows.
He directed any person who has encroached onto the forest land to vacate to allow tree planting initiatives and failure to do that, the security team will swing into action.
He appealed to residents to plant more trees towards President William Ruto's goal of 15 billion trees by the year 2032.
The deputy county commissioner said tree planting is one of the ways of mitigating the negative effects of climate change.
He appreciated the locals for their conservation efforts which he said have kept the Mt Kulal forest cover intact.
According to Director of Natural Resources Janet Ahatho, the forest conservation and Management Act stipulates that all forests must be managed in accordance with the management plan.
This, he said, necessitated the preparation of the Mt Kulal participatory forest management plan in line with the aspirations and input of the relevant stakeholders.
She said the plan provides an overall framework for sustainable management and utilization of Mt Kulal forest for the purpose of restoration, conservation and improvement of livelihoods.
She said the plan was developed by the National Museum of Kenya in partnership with the county government of Marsabit and funded by FAO.
Ahato said currently the forest cover in Marsabit county stands at 1.7 percent which she termed quite low compared to the national target.
The residents however asked the government and stakeholders to help them restore forest cover by providing tree seedlings.
They advocate for drought-resistant trees that can be of direct use to them and provide income.
Chairman of the community forest association Christopher Ogom thanked the food and agricultural organization for their support like bee hives, and grapevine trees and help in the conservation of their forest.
Simon Lenakoshuru, a resident of Mt Kulal said the best way to utilize the forest is by putting up bee hives and allowing only registered people to get into the forest to harvest the honey.
"Let the Kenya forest and the county government continue to protect the forest as they have always done because if they allow people to enter the forest they will do more harm than good," said Simion.
The forest management action plan was launched by the county government of Marsabit through the Department of Water, Environment, climate change and Natural Resources in partnership with the Mt Kulal community forest association and different stakeholders.
The event was attended by senior officers from the Kenya forest service and Kenya wildlife service among others.
