Minstry of Environment and Forestry CS Keriako Tobiko today led mangroves trees planting exercise at Sabaki Estuary in Kilifi County as the Country joined the World to celebrate #WorldWetlandsDay2021
This year’s theme is “Wetlands and water”, which shines a spotlight on wetlands as a source of freshwater and encourages actions to restore them and stop their loss.
Each year, Kenya celebrates World Wetlands Day to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. The convention came in force in Kenya in 1990. The country has been celebrating the event annually on 2nd February. The convention aims at promotion of conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
Speaking during the exercise, the CS noted that there is no way Water, Wetlands and life can be separated and therefore there is need for both National government and County government to ensure involvement of communities in rehabilitation and conservation of Wetlands.Over the past 3 days, a total of 100, 000 mangroves seedlings had been planted at Mida Creek and Sabaki Estuary which is equivalent to one million trees.”One mangrove tree is equivalent to ten terrestrial trees interms of carbon sequestration” , said the CS
The CS instructed NEMA to review all licenses given to salt companies and be subjected to Social Impact Assessment Studies.In addition, the CS directed the County Commissioner to involve the youth and women under Kazi Mtaani Initiative to clear Mathenge immediately from the Sabaki Estuary.
The CS also launched the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Action Plan, 2019-2023 and Sixt National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The CS was joined by Colombian Ambassador to Kenya Monicah De Greiff, Ministry of Environment and Forestry CAS Mohammed Elmi, Kilifi County Commissioner Olaka Kutswa, NEMA Chairman John Konchellah, NEMA DG Mamo, NECC Secretary Dr. John Chumo, NETFUND CEO Samson Toniok, KWTA Ag DG Prof Julius Tonui Amongst others.
