The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has commended journalists for their efforts in contributing towards environmental conservation by spearheading tree planting initiatives.
MCK Mombasa Regional Coordinator Ms Maureen Mudi said the initiative is in line with the presidential directive of growing trees to reduce the impacts of climate change.
‘We have been able to plant over 5000 mangrove seedlings and we are looking forward to planting more trees in the coming days. We applaud the good work that the community leaders are doing in educating the community on the importance of preserving and planting of more mangrove trees’’, said Ms Mudi during a tree planting exercise in partnership with Beyond the Story Association of Journalists and Marafiki Mangrove Conservation Group in Maya Forest.
She added that the partnership will bring together journalists from different media houses in Kilifi and the Maya community to promote responsible reporting on climate change issues while sensitising on environmental conservation.
‘We call upon more community conservancy groups and other environmental players to plant more mangroves at the Coast”, said Ms Mudi.
Chairperson of Beyond the Story Maureen Ongala said the scribes opted to partner with the community to improve forest cover.
“We decided to walk the talk by teaming up with Maya community in championing the drive to mitigate climate change by planting trees”, said Ms Ongala who is also a journalist with the Daily Nation, Kilifi County.
Her sentiments were echoed by the Star Newspaper journalist Elias Yaa who hinted at the group's initiative to start a value addition project on bee keeping using the mangrove trees.
Chair of Maya Community Carkstone Chivatsi called for more collaborations with other environmental stakeholders in conserving the mangrove forests, stating it will benefit future generations.
“The mangrove forests are critical in our day-to-day lives. We hope to get local and foreign investors to whom we can sell carbon credits. The forest harbors plants with medicinal value and is a habitat for fish and other creatures,” said Mr Carkstone.
Through the partnership, a total of 5,500 mangrove seedlings were planted with Beyond the Story at the Maya Forest on Maya Island, Kauma.