Staffers from the Equity Bank, Kerugoya branch have led the residents of Kathandeni section of Mt Kenya forest in a tree planting exercise where 4000 indigenous seedlings were planted.
The planted seedlings were part of the 23,000 the bank has bought for the purpose within the county.
Led by their branch Manager Simon Kanyingi the staffers spent a whole day in the company of area residents in the planting exercise yesterday.
Kanyingi said the bank had partnered with the local community in forest conservation by providing free indigenous seedlings in an effort to restore the destroyed flora and fauna.
He said without a well-protected forest the ideal climate which the residents depend on for their livelihood would be interfered with leading to change for the worst.
‘’ With climate change being real globally it’s our responsibility , to assist the community we work the communities we do business with and ensure their environment was well conserved, “he said.
Kanyingi said his organisation will continue associating itself with matters conservation hence its presence within the county.
The bank has financial services for farmers wishing to establish private commercial tree nurseries.
The county conservator of forest Monica Masibo who was present said her officers were always available to partner with Organisations wishing to be involved in environmental conservation.
“We have planted trees in this county in various places and also partnered with various organizations in this endeavor to make the area greener than we found it ,”she said.
The benefiting community on the other hand promised to ensure the seedlings planted were tended to until maturity .
“Since we benefit from keeping bees within the forest and also firewood and water sources , its incumbent upon us to ensure the forests were well protected from illegal activities ,”said Julius Njagi , a resident.