Tefnut's Environmental and Drought News Article
17 Jun 2014 - 10:13 by OOSKAnews Correspondent NAIROBI, KENYA
The Kenyan government is scaling up investments aimed at climate-proofing critical ecosystems, in order to halt desertification in the country, Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu said on June 17 during events to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification.
The theme this year is "Land belongs to the future, let us climate-proof it."
Kenya has experienced rapid spread of deserts thanks to climate change, population pressure and loss of biodiversity.
Desertification poses significant threats to fragile ecosystems like forests, watersheds and rangelands, Wakhungu said.
"Desertification and land degradation is a new time bomb the country has to contend with, as natural and human actions fuel this phenomenon. Kenya is among the desertification hotspots in the region," she warned.
This has worried Kenyan policymakers and environmentalists, who have said this phenomenon could derail sustainable development efforts in the East African nation.
"Though we have rich and diverse ecosystems, 80 percent of Kenya's total land mass is either arid or semi-arid. These regions are grappling with disruption of livelihoods due to food and water scarcity," said Wakhungu.
"We have invested in habitat restoration and climate-resilient agro-pastoralism to buffer against the spread of deserts," she explained. "Irrigated agriculture and introduction of new drought-tolerant crops and tree species will insulate marginalized communities from climate vagaries."
Kenyan arid and semi-arid lands support over 50 percent of the country's livestock population. According to the 2009 census, 30 percent of Kenya's population lives in these rangelands.
Wakhungu said the national policy on rangelands includes strategic interventions like irrigation, agro-pastoralism and beekeeping to buffer communities from food insecurity.
"The treasury apportioned adequate resources this year to finance construction of dams and water pans in the rangelands. The President [Uhuru Kenyatta] and his Deputy [William Ruto] will soon commission large irrigation projects in Turkana and other dry areas," Wakhungu told reporters in Nairobi.
Reforestation programs and promotion of sustainable land management practices have already helped minimize the spread of deserts, she said.
In addition, "adoption of alternative livelihoods and promotion of green energy technologies will mitigate against desertification," Wakhungu added.
Desertification is also being blamed for a spike in resource-based conflicts and water, food and energy shortages in Kenya.
"Desertification, land degradation and droughts pose mortal challenges to Kenya's socio-economic progress," warned Principal Secretary for Environment Richard Lesiyampe.
"As a ministry, we have taken several measures to address desertification. They include community participation in conservation of vital ecosystems and strengthened environmental governance," Lesiyampe said.
Kenya is signatory to a United Nations 10-year strategy, adopted in 2008, to revitalize action to combat desertification.
Source: https://www.ooskanews.com
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