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Kenya pledges action on desertification

Xinhua, June 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Kenyan ministry of environment and natural resources has fast-tracked implementation of robust interventions at the grassroots to halt loss of pristine land to natural calamities and human actions, officials said on Friday.

Cabinet Secretary for environment and natural resources, Professor Judi Wakhungu said the government has invested heavily in restoration of forests and water towers to prevent desertification in line with global conventions.

"We are implementing several national action plans to help manage land degradation and recurrent droughts that are fuelling desertification in the country," Wakhungu said during an event to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification in Nairobi.

Kenya ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1997 and has since then enacted local instruments to strengthen management of arable land.

Wakhungu noted that Kenya is among Sub-Saharan African countries where deserts are spreading rapidly thanks to climatic shocks, population pressure and habitat loss.

"Desertification is intensifying and spreading rapidly in Kenya, threatening millions of livelihoods. The phenomenon undermines our goal to achieve food, water and energy security," said Wakhungu.

She decried the twin challenge of land degradation and biodiversity loss that has worsened human suffering while slowing down Kenya's economic growth.

The theme of this year's world day to combat desertification, "inclusive cooperation for achieving land degradation neutrality" is in line with Kenya's latest efforts to hasten ecosystems restoration.

Wakhungu said the government has forged strategic partnership with multilateral donors, industry and communities to promote conservation of natural assets like arable land, forests and watersheds.

"We are committed to halting land degradation as a prerequisite to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs)," Wakhungu said.

Kenya has adopted innovative approaches to promote sustainable land management in the wake of climate change, rapid urbanization and population growth.

The Principal Secretary in the ministry of environment and natural resources, Charles Sunkuli noted that investments in green projects have averted spread of deserts in the arid and semi arid zones.

"Kenya has pioneered innovative projects to boost ecosystems restoration and sustainable land management in order to prevent further spread of deserts," Sunkuli said. Endit