The government of Kenya is keen to protect and restore the country’s forest cover with plans to plant over 15 billion trees by the year 2032, to restore about 10 Million hectares of forest and range lands. Meanwhile, the existing forest cover also needs protecting and that’s why the government and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has unveiled ‘0800724570’ as the 24-hour toll free telephone number for reporting illegal forest activities including logging and charcoal burning in the country.

Speaking Kanyonga in Kyeni South, Embu County during celebrations to mark this year’s World Bamboo Day, Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi said the hotline is managed by a dedicated office in his department.

The State Department for Forestry has set up a new office that is dealing with cases of illegal logging in the country’s public forests. The PS said that the government will not hesitate in taking action against those caught violating the law. Mr. Mugambi also urged wananchi to report suspected illegal forest activities through the hotline.

At the same time, the PS decried escalating illegal logging in parts of the country saying it was regrettable that while Kenyans were accelerating efforts to raise the country’s forest cover to 30 percent by the year 2032 through the 15 billion tree growing program unscrupulous timber traders were engaged in illegal logging of public forests.

The government and the Ministry of Environment will not tolerate continued destruction of the country’s public forests. At the same time, the PS encouraged Kenyans to grow 15 billion trees as directed by His Excellency the President.

Mr. Mugambi cautioned as he named Narok, Nakuru, Nyeri, Meru, Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu and Baringo as some of the counties that are highly affected by illegal logging. Illegal logging is detrimental to the environment as it depletes the country of water catchment areas, contributes to flooding and drought, loss of livelihood and much more.

The PS has encouraged Kenyans to take action and report any and all illegal logging they witness as the burden of preserving the country’s forest cover lies in all of the citizens.