Govt in new push to combat wetland encroachment
Environment PS Charles Sunkuli (right) issues an environmental conservation certificate to a resident of Kipsaina in Trans Nzoia County on Thursday February 2, 2017. He said the government has stepped up efforts to protect wetlands. PHOTO |PHILIP BWAYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The hazards include flooding and severe drought which leads to food insecurity.
- Environment PS Charles Sunkuli has prohibited the subdivision of trust lands before carrying out environmental assessments.
- Mr Sunkuli also said all environmental organisations will soon undergo restructuring to enhance their effectiveness.
- He also called on county governments to domesticate all environment conservation policies.
The government has embarked on a new push to conserve coastal and inland wetlands in the country which are facing massive degradation owing to human activities.
This follows concerns that the Kenya risks facing environmental hazards that are cushioned by the affected wetlands.
The hazards include flooding and severe drought which leads to food insecurity.
Speaking at Kipsaina in Trans Nzoia on Thursday, Environment Principal Secretary Charles Sunkuli prohibited the subdivision of trust lands before carrying out environmental assessments.
“We want to combat wetland encroachment the same way we combat ivory trade.
“I am directing the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and the National Land commission (NLC) to make sure the wetlands are protected,” Mr Sunkuli said.
WORLD WETLANDS DAY
He was representing Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu during the commemoration of the 2017 World Wetlands Day whose theme was ‘Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction’.
Mr Sunkuli also said all environmental organisations will soon undergo restructuring to enhance their effectiveness in championing environmental conservation in the country.
“The ministry has also developed important policies that seek to ensure wise use and sustainable management of marine and fresh wetlands in order to enhance sustenance of their functions,” he said.
COUNTY POLICIES
He also called on county governments to domesticate all environment conservation policies through enactment of by-laws that will help in the conservation and management of wetlands.
On Wednesday, implementing partners of the European Union-funded Water Tower programme raised concerns over the adverse impact of human activity on wetlands in the country.
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (Kefri) Principal Investigator for the Water Tower programme, Dr Paul Ongugo, termed soil erosion, overfishing, grazing and pollution as the biggest threats to the future of wetlands.
“Wetlands are being destroyed at an alarming rate and there is urgent need for the fragile ecosystems to be restored,” said Dr Ongugo.
According to Dr Ongugo, Trans Nzoia is one of the eleven counties that will benefit from the six-year Sh3.6 billion EU supported programme.
The eleven counties include Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nandi, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot.
