The World Environment Day is a global event and is celebrated each year. It is a day that stimulates awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and public action. Every 5th June, 2010 is a day used by the United Nations Environment Programme to create worldwide awareness. World Environment Day is hosted every year by a different city with a different theme and is commemorated with an international exposition in the week of 5th June. Under the theme, “Many species, One planet, One future”, this year’s event was celebrated the incredible diversity life on earth as part of 2010 International year of Biodiversity.
In Garissa, the provincial headquarter for North Eastern Province did not miss a chance to celebrate in the worldwide event. It was marked at Hyuga Girls Primary School The event begun with a colourful beats by the Garissa Teachers Training College band that took along the streets of Garissa Town leading the procession to the venue led by Kenya Forest Service Forester Mr. Mosses with his motor cycle while on a reflector jacket and at low speed. On the distinguished guests for the department were: Assistant Commandant Kenya Forest Service Retired Lt. Colonel Patrick Obore, Chairman Forest Conservancy Committee dr. Ahmed, Zonal Manager for Garissa District Mr. Noor Maalim, Forester Mosses, Rangers corporal Dekow and Senior Constable Daud. The KFS input in provision of tree seedlings and the technicality during the tree planting process made the event successful. The fully dressed rangers on jungle uniform shared their prolonged experiences when it came to the planting session. With over 200 seedlings donated to National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), KFS managed to achieve its mandate as part of the Vision 2030 to increase trees and forest cover.
In the speaker’s wing were Mr. Noor. Noor recognized the presence of the Assistant Commandant Rtd. Lt.col. Obore. He also said that since the establishment of KFS, the Service is converting most of its staffs to uniformed services with the Head of Conservancy and other Zonal Managers having undergone their Paramilitary basic training at Kenya Forest College in Londiani.
Mr. Noor mentioned that Tree planting activities in Garissa Town by the KFS for the past three years has increased trees cover especially in institutions and many schools have a lot of trees planted in them. Among these, 34 schools both primary and secondary, a minimum of 200 trees are planted in each school. He said that they had launched a tree planting ceremony on 22nd April, 2010. In the past 1 year, 8000 trees were planted and the target in the KKV programme is to plant 12,000 trees. Kazi Kwa Vijana has helped the youths and has planted trees in institutions and everywhere. In this project, job has been created for 137 youths who are casually employed. The biggest achievement they had was Tetu primary and secondary school. KFS is engaging with the youths and the communities and headed by them. He welcomed Dr. Ahmed who is the Chairman for Forest Conservation Committee (FCC) for North Eastern Province (NEP).
DR. Ahmed- Chairman-FCC said that by the end of all celebrations, the outcome is “Mazingira safi” meaning a clean environment. He quoted a verse from the holy Quran “ If you do not clean your environment, you will not enter paradise” He brought out a new board of committee called FCC where each district has a representative. He mentioned the importance of NEMA and Garissa Municipal Council coming together and ensures that each shop has a dustbin.
Environmental messages were spoken with the same messages taken home. Award certificates were given to the best environmental practices and participations. KFS got awarded for having being involved in the preparations and commemoration of the World Environment Day.
The celebrations were ended by lunching at the Garissa Government Guest House.
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