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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