The State has been petitioned to lease idle government land to private companies, women and youth groups for tree planting.
The Executive Director of Multi Touch International (MTI) Christine Wangari said this would boost the government plans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a programme aimed at reaching 30 percent of tree cover to restore and conserve Kenya's 10.6 million hectares of degraded landscapes and ecosystems.
Ms Wangari observed that while the global appeal is to plant more trees, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, Kenyans are cutting down 50,000 hectares of trees annually for timber, firewood and charcoal or to create space for farming and construction. "A clean environment has an impact on food security, health outcomes, affordable housing and growing the manufacturing sector.
The starting point is to improve public awareness among the youth on the link between the environment and their daily fortunes and sufferings," said the Executive Director.
