Kenyans have been urged to celebrate trees in this year’s international Day of Forests.

Speaking in Chemususu,Baringo County during International Day of Forest, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Prof Judi Wakhungu said forests and trees deserve to be celebrated at every moment and opportunity in our lives.

“Our forests and trees, deserve to be celebrated at every moment and moment and opportunity in our lives . Around 1.6 billion people including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures depend on forests for their livelihood,” said Prof  Wakhungu.

The celebrations which are held annually and globally was dubbed ‘ Forest and Water ‘ is intended to provide a platform to raise awareness of importance of forests and it’s critical role in regulating water systems nationally.

She further said forests cover one third of the land mass, performing vital economic, social and environmental functions.

“One cannot raise awareness about forests and water without making direct reference to the intricate relationship between forests and climate change. This is a clear demonstration of the critical inter-linkages between the forest and our very survival,” said the CS.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi who was also present in the celebrations pointed out the need of increasing the speed of planting more trees than harvesting it.

“We are now feeling the effects of afforestation in the country through floods and rising of temperatures so we should plant more trees than we cut, ” said Cheboi

The governor also asked the government to give title deeds to persons who are living forests which were degazzeted .

‘ I appeal to the national government to fast track the issuing of title deeds for people who are living in degazzetted forests in Baringo  County,” urged Cheboi.

The commemorations were set aside by the United General Assembly to allow Member states to celebrate the importance of forests on a global scale.