Finally a fantastic project in Nairobi! and who know..i might join the chain! The Nairobi GreenLine is an ambitious Kshs 35 million project that aims to grow 250000 trees along the edge of the Park.
The launch took place at the Nairobi National Park, East Gate behind Libra House on Mombasa road.
The project is a partnership between the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and supported by such organisations as Better Globe Forestry, Silole Ventures, Scanad Kenya, Twiga Chemical Industries, Kiss FM, Nairobi Star, Bloom Consultants and Panache Production.
As an industrial response to environmental challenges facing the Nairobi National Park, the initiative is intended to protect it from encroachment and pollution.
The 50 metre-wide Greenline cover will stretch 30 kms from Athi River’s Cheetah Gate to the Carnivore. An additional 750,000 trees will be planted in other greenlines over the next five years.
The event, which was officiated by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Mr. M.A.M waMwachai commissioned the first 1 kilometre stretch of the project.
Speaking during the event, KAM Chief Executive, Ms. Betty Maina noted that this was part of KAM's golden jubilee celebrations which commenced in June last year.
She urged members to organise their staff to come out and plant trees in April as a way of giving back to society through KAM's 50th anniversary celebrations which end in June.
"KAM has chosen to give back to society through conservation efforts. The first such initiative was undertaken last year in partnership with the Born Free Foundation and the Kenya Wildlife Society to promote the conservation of lions,” said Ms. Maina.
She added that KAM and its members sponsored at least half of the 50 lion sculptures mounted in the campaign that eventually raised Ksh 13 million in November 2009.
The Nairobi GreenLine is KAM’s second conservation initiative which promotes protection of the Nairobi National Park from pollution and encroachment.
“As we partner to grow the Nairobi Greenline and other Greenlines elsewhere, we will all be making an open statement that Kenya is willing to engage in the global agenda of addressing climate change,” said Ms. Maina.
Addressing the meeting, KAM Board Member and Chairman of the Nairobi Greenline Project Steering Committee, Mr. Anoop Shah noted that, environmental concerns were no longer national or regional but were global issues.
“As nations discuss how to mitigate the impacts of climate change we too recognize we must seek ways of finding solutions to this global phenomenon which affects us all irrespective,” added Mr. Shah.
He further urged individuals and organizations to make the project a CSR activity of their companies by giving support towards the project in cash, in kind and through purchase of various project merchandise.
During the main tree planting drive in April 2010, a 25,000-strong Human Greenline chain will be created inside the Park from the Carnivore to the Athi River Cheetah Gate to publicise the initiative globally.
To participate in the human chain, companies can purchase greenline T-shirts and seedlings through the various sponsorship categories available.
For more information please contact Bella Akinyi or Damaris Kimilu on Email: bella.akinyi@kam.co.ke or damaris.kimilu@kam.co.ke or call Tel: +254 20 3746005 / 7 / 21 / 22 or 3744886
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