University of Nairobi’s Chiromo Campus Environmental Club adopts 2.25 acres of Nairotia Forest in the Mau

The Chiromo Environmental Awareness Club recently organized a tree planting that took place in Narok on the 20^th day of March 2010 in an initiative aimed at commemorating World Forests Day that is celebrated on the 21st of March annually. The Kenya Forest Service(KFS) donated 1,200 seedlings and also enabled the club to adopt a hectare in the Mau complex while Kenya Forests Working Group(KFWG) also donated money for the pitting of holes and informative books and posters. Uchumi Ngong Hyper also pitched in with refreshments as well as the University of Nairobi, College of Biological and Physical Sciences{CBPS) who provided transport and financial assistance. Kiss 100 FM also gave them good coverage.

The club,with the permission of Kenya Forest Service are the first to adopt a hectare in the expansive 12,000 hectares of the Nairotia Forest Station in the Mau complex. The landscape itself was a mosaic of maize and tea plantations with sparse forest cover. On arrival at the site around 11am and the group was warmly received by Mr.Kelelua from KFS Narok Office who gave a brief history of the area and mentioned the challenges that were being faced. Planting thereafter soon commenced. By 2.30 pm the planting session had concluded and Mr. Elamu from KFWG gave a small speech thanking the participants for work well done while Ms. Manda  the CEAC chairlady gave a vote of thanks.

In conclusion, the day was without any doubt a success and it was very encouraging to see the local community actively involved in conservation initiatives.