Post: Organisation to restore Nandi ecosystem using bamboo

An environmental Community Based Organisation has committed to plant more than 30 million bamboos across Nandi County in order to restore springs, streams and rivers within the next five years.Kiptapkei Community Based Organisation believes that Nandi, once endowed with abundance water and indigenous trees, has been destroyed by human activities and that it was the right time to restore the true, original nature of Nandi ecosystem.The CBO bamboo growing campaign started 13 years ago and so far, they have planted close to 125,000 bamboo seedlings along rivers, springs, streams, riparian and wetlands according to the organisation's Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Duncan Katam.Speaking while marking International Bamboo Day on Wednesday, Katam emphasised that bamboo has quick and high nature restoration chances when planted at the right places.He said bamboo plays a crucial role in our ecosystem and helps in combating climate change.'Bamboo breaks down carbon, which is the main contributor to climat e change effects, it breaks down carbon quickly more 35 percent compared to other indigenous trees,' he revealed.Katam said they were working with all state and non-state conservation networks to ensure bamboos are planted in reclaimed riparian and wetlands across the county as a measure to restore degraded ecosystem which is home to many animals.'We are encouraging more communities and more individuals to take up bamboos because it has multiple uses,' he added.According to Katam, the bamboos' planting campaign has succeeded along Chebarus river in Tinderet, Kopopo River which connects river Yala in Emgwen and Mosop around Sang'alo and Kebulonik area with locals detailing multiple benefits of bamboos.The Coordinator Kiptapkei CBO Peter Biwot said the environment has been destroyed due to careless cutting down of trees and burning of charcoal.He reiterated that Kiptapkei environmental CBO aimed at restoring the original nature in Nandi which used to harbour several species of animals and birds.Addr essing the same event, an Assistant County Forest Conservator Nandi Ruth Kamau encouraged communities living along rivers to plant bamboo and indigenous trees that would help us conserve our rivers and wetlands.'Bamboos are planted to purify water, protect soil erosion and manage landslides. We also encourage farmers to plant certain species of bamboos because they are commercial especially giant bamboo suitable for furniture, making tooth picks and used in making home deco products,' Kamau said.The Forest Officer added that bamboos planted in forests acted a shelter for certain animals, birds, soil creatures and further to increased tree coverage.'Today we have managed to plant close to two hundred bamboo seedlings and a mixture of indigenous seedlings totaling to 900,' she revealed.She praised partnership between Kenya Forest Service and Kiptapkei CBO towards ensuring that Nandi nature is restored.Kamau also mentioned Green Pot CBO from Kubujoi who were majoring in doing bamboos and their products as true champions of environment.Pual Lagat retired chief from Kabirirsang location where the function took place said they started receiving enough rains because of increased bamboo and indigenous tree growing campaign.Source: Kenya News Agency