KTB to Start Tree Planting Countrywide

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Kiplang’at Kirui

18 July 2011

The Kenya Tourist Board will carry out a tree planting exercise in tourist attraction countrywide, managing director Muriithi Ndegwa has said. In a statement read on his behalf by KTB public relations manager Kimutai Ngeno, Ndegwa said a green environment is crucial to the survival of flora and fauna, the pillar of tourism.

He made the remarks at the weekend after visiting Naisoya in Maasai Mau forest block where the institution planted over 10,000 trees. Naisoya forest also is a water tower for several small rivers leading to Lake Natron in Northen Tanzania – a breeding ground of Lasser flamingos found in Lake Nakuru. “Besides, the wider objective of saving the Mau Forest that has been heavily depleted with human activities leading to low water levels. The initiative aims at salvaging the Mara River that plays host to a spectacular annual event-wildebeest migration,” said Ndegwa.

More than 1.2 million wildebeest migration that begins in July has attracted both domestic and international tourists and has subsequently been declared the Eighth Wonder of the World. “KTB is keen on contributing towards the survival of this crucial resource that has boosted our performance in tourism with Maasai Mara being among our hot spots in terms of tourists attraction,” said Ndegwa.

He urged tourists to discover Kenya’s diversity by visiting other attractions in the country. “KTB has put in place a diversification strategy to sell other niche products that include eco-tourism, sports, culture and conference tourism,” added Ndegwa. At the same time, Ndegwa said the sector performed well last year with tourists arrivals by air and sea reaching 1,095,842 compared to 952,481 in 2009.

AllAfrica – All the Time