The 9,000 seedlings will be nurtured to maturity within the forest’ s rare species corner
Forest-friendly project will benefit nation
By Damar Padwa
An ambitious tree-planting initiative has been launched by The Village Market in its continuing role as a proud friend of Karura Forest. A total of KES 2.07 million has been committed to the planting of 9,000 indigenous trees in the forest. The first commitment of KES 600,000 has already been sent to the Friends of Karura Forest.
This latest initiative is in line with The Village Market’ s policy of helping the environment. During the Festive Season, its Great Getaway Giveaway promotion not only rewarded loyal shoppers but also helped the surrounding community including Karura Forest.
The Festive Season event also featured, for the first time, an electronic promotion system that did away with the former mechanical process involving large numbers of paper
The 9,000 seedlings will be nurtured to maturity within the forest’ s rare species corner
coupons. Conscious of the need to conserve the environment, The Village Market opted for the electronic system.
Now, with the tree-planting initiative, the focus is once more on Karura Forest. The importance of the microclimate within Gigiri and Muthaiga cannot be overstated. The forest has a cooling effect during extremely hot seasons, providing a tranquil atmosphere for joggers, campers and those keen to enjoy some quiet time away from the city’ s bustle.
Responding to the worldwide environmental call to action and in collaboration with the managing trustees of the Friends of Karura Forest( FKF), The Village Market has embarked on this exceptional treeplanting initiative. The 9,000 seedlings will be nurtured to maturity within the forest’ s rare species corner and along the family trail, with full-sized trees eventually bearing testament to a noble effort. The Village Market, with the guidance of FKF, is taking care to maintain the ecosystem as it is without introducing any competing species to the delicate bionetwork.
The indigenous tree seedlings have been sourced from women’ s groups and youth groups in Meru County. The timing could not be better in view of the long rains that have pounded the country in recent months. Coupled with this is a government call for a renewed and vigorous tree-planting exercise throughout Kenya to take advantage of the wet season.
Community
The tree-planting will be carried out by women and young people from the underprivileged district of Mathare, guided by the Friends of Karura Forest, a community-based programme that seeks to empower the impoverished community by providing a means of income through environmental conservation and preservation as opposed to
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