National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has initiated a biosafety tree garden programme in institutions to promote environment conservation and increase tree and forest cover in the country.

Speaking during the planting of 5,000 tree seedlings in schools in Busia County, Western Region NBA Leader Joseph Odongo said the concept of biosafety gardens in schools will foster learning, besides environment conservation.

“We want the learners to have that knowledge on how to care for the environment at the early stages so that they can grow to understand its importance. The current generation needs to have the knowledge and concept including the name of a tree and its importance to a certain environment,” Dr Odongo said.

He said that all the tree species planted will be labelled with scientific and a common names, plus local importance of that tree according to the culture indicated.

“We will also provide the scientific background including if the tree is for a medicinal purpose,” he said.

He urged many schools to embrace the model to continue nurturing and caring for the environment.

“We have started with three schools in Busia, which are Busende Primary and Junior Secondary School with 1,500 trees, Muyafwa Primary and Junior Secondary School with 2,000 trees while St Mary’s Mundika High School received 1,500 trees.

The trees are both indigenous and exotic, fruit and medicinal. We want many schools to adopt this model so that together with learners we can nurture our environment,” he said

The official further said the initiative will help to address issues of climate change, adding that the involvement of several stakeholders including the forestry department, teachers, learners and even administration is aimed at ensuring there is continuity and proper monitoring of this initiative.

Busia Municipality Assistant County Commissioner Calvin Monare said the drive will also help to ensure the country attain the 15 billion trees to be planted by 2032.

“Through such initiatives, we will attain our target. We are also encouraging these learners and even teachers and the public to engage in tree adaptation initiatives as this will raise the survival rate of our trees.”

Busia Sub-County Forester Seth Onyango said there is a need for adaptation of the initiative by many schools to promote tree cover in Busia County.

“Currently as the county we are at 8.3 per cent tree cover which is still low. We are targeting to reach 30 per cent by 2032 and this calls for more commitment and planting and maintaining of many trees. We will also be working closely with the schools to ensure the trees survive. We are also encouraging our learners to ensure they carry home the knowledge they get by planting trees,” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi

Learners from Busende Primary and Junior Secondary School together with teachers and officers from government departments planting trees for the biosafety tree garden initiative. A total of 500 trees were planted in three different schools in Busia Sub County.