Several environmental conservation groups met at Kithaku Market in Meru Central District of Meru County to discuss sustainable water use and conservation of the Mt. Kenya ecosystem that benefits residents of Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.
During the discussion the participants from Center For Environmental Stewardship (CFS), Community Forest Association (CFA), Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA) and Water Resource Users Authority (WRUA) agreed to increase the water quantity and quality through mobilization of residents on proper utilization of the water resources to avoid conflicts.
Speaking at a function the secretary of rugi rwa ngombe Water Resource Management Authority (WRUA) Jeremiah Miriti said plans were underway to build dams to intensify water harvesting pointing out the benefits to various residents of Central, North and South Imenti from the larger Meru Region.
Miriti said Water preservation of catchment areas and environmental conservation is an issue that takes attention of many Kenyans especially in the Mt. Kenya region.
The participants agreed to reduce the water being used by the residents from the upper WRUAs for it to be used by residents from the lower WRUAs.
The members sought to increase the water quantity and quality, fight water pollution, educate people on healthy and proper use of water to avoid conflicts among themselves, enhance capacity building and water pegging to avert soil erosion.
Meanwhile the director of CFS Mathew Mbaabu regretted that most water sources had dried up following the reduction on the region’s forest cover calling for the involvement of all stakeholders in remedying the situation.
Mbaabu urged all stakeholders ranging from policy makers and implementers to plant more trees in the region to attract more rainfall.
Without forests there is no water and without water no human life hence Kenyans to take care of environment, he remarked.
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