Narok, Kenya – Narok County has achieved a significant milestone in its environmental conservation efforts by planting 283,182 tree seedlings in various forest lands since the green holiday on November 13, 2023. This initiative is part of the county’s broader goal to increase forest cover.

According to Kenya News Agency, the tree planting exercise covered several forests including Olposimoru, Chebitet, Enosupukia, Nkonkorr, Nkaretta, Osupuko, and Olkirinye. Mkung commended the efforts of various stakeholders who volunteered to sponsor the tree planting, including the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Eden Restoration Project, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Forest Research Institution (KeFRI), and the Narok County Government.

The county has set an ambitious target to plant 4.3 million tree seedlings by the end of the ongoing rainy season, emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility in tree planting. Mkung made this statement during a public event where over 5000 tree seedlings, donated by KFS, were planted at a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) base in the Lamek area of Narok West Sub County.

In a related event, Narok North Member of Parliament Agnes Pareiyo called on residents to protect forest land and conserve the environment. Speaking at Manyatta celebrations in Rotian area, Pareiyo praised the government’s efforts in evicting people living illegally in the Maasai Mau Forest land. She encouraged residents to plant trees on their individual farms to further boost the forest cover. The government’s eviction process, which began in August this year, came in response to significant encroachment on the Maasai Mau Forest, amounting to around 26,000 hectares.