The host community environment faces a number of threats leading to its deterioration. The climate in the area is punishing for any form of vegetation, with the area experiencing very little rain. The vegetation that has been able to adapt face threat from the locals for various reasons.
Trees have overtime been the main source of housing material for many in these parts as they are easily accessible and perfect for temporary shelter for pastoralist communities. The same trees provide energy for cooking and warmth for the residents, essentially adding more pressure on the environment.
What is unknown to the locals in the extent to which their actions unintentionally degrade their environment and disturb its ecosystem. The influx of refugees in the area also increased the rate of degradation due to the higher demand for shelter and energy. RRDO along with partners have embarked on an operation to bring the importance of environment preservation to the attention of the affected communities as well as run programmes to restore and preserve the environment.
Environment protection, conservation and rehabilitation
The first step in this program was to ensure that the surviving trees and vegetation are protected from further damage. Indigenous trees, which are most adaptable, are the main focus of this exercise. Other trees planted during the rehabilitation phase are in more controlled areas where there is more protection. Monitors assigned by RRDO are sent in and around refugee camps to sensitize communities on the importance of environment preservation and flush out any perpetrators involved in the destruction of the environment. With help from NEMA and KFS, severe cases could lead to prosecution for offenders.
The rehabilitation program is carried out in areas where considerable degradation has already occurred. With help from its partners, RRDO undertakes the procurement of tree seed that can survive in the area, manure and potting paper. Seeds are planted in nurseries until they are ready to be transferred to be planted in the identified areas.
Major planting sites include schools, agency compounds, community centers and refugee households. Greenzones are also established in every refugee camp, where pieces of land are designated for trees only. These areas will be monitored progressively, with statistics on survival rate, death rates being recorded. Locals will also be trained extensively on each step of the Afforestation process.
To date, RRDO has rehabilitated 79ha of degraded land through seedlings production and planting, creation of green belts and conducting environmental education to both the refugees and host community around the refugee camps.
