By
The Mountain Journal
Mt
Kenya University (MKU) has partnered with partners to champion the restoration of
Brackenhurst Forest near Limuru.
In the partnership with Nottingham Trent University
(NTU) of Sh110 million, MKU Chairman Prof Simon Gicharu said they have transformed various places through tree planting activities, a venture
that should be supported by all.
During
a tree planting day, graced by Kenya Forest Service Deputy Chief Conservator James Mwang’ombe,
Gicharu recounted how they bought the land where the Botanic garden is
located when it was bare and managed to transform it through tree planting.
Purpose of the facilitation from NTU include –
assessment
and protection of indigenous medicinal plants of Brackenhurst forest and
determination of the medicinal components of the plants leading to their
protection:
ii)
Documentation and protection of indigenous medicinal plants of
Brackenhurst
forest.
Through the Panda Miti, Penda Kenya Initiative, Gicharu said the varsity has championed
planting of trees annually in line with the Government of Kenya Vision 2030 and
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
“
The school of pharmacy in partnership with the college of graduates studies and
research and the Kenya community we are gathered to spearhead planting of indigenous
and medical plants within this botanic garden,” said the Chairman of the board.
Mwang’ombe
on his part said there was a need for private entities, institutions to develop
private forests, and other conservation mechanisms such as MKU.
“KFS
supports and encourages tree planting in all parts of t country to realize the 10 percent forest cover to
help mitigate the climate change which
is a global threat,” said Mwang’ombe as he appreciated the varsity for planting more than 3,000 tree seedlings
this year
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratious Jaganyi said there was a need for Kenyans
to collaborate with KFS to boost the government’s target to realize 10 percent
forest cover by the year 2030.
“
As a university, we need to have a higher target of the number of trees we need
to plant by the end of next year and ensure they are watered and protected,”
said the DVC.
The DVC proposed that the tree planting
exercise by the university should be twice or thrice per year to help the
government meet the target.
Dr Jerald Onyancha head of the research at the university organised the tree planting exercise which has been rated successful.
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