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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 50522, member: 636"] Treasury boss Dr Chris Kiptoo has pulled off a massive forest rescue mission that has locals cheering. The Kaptagat Forest conservation program heads into its ninth year after saving more than 2,500 hectares of destroyed woodland. Communities have planted over 2 million tree seedlings while the government hands out 300,000 high-value avocado plants to farmers. Local resident Daniel Kibet admits he feared the forest would disappear forever but credits Kiptoo with bringing back hope. The program targets 11 million hectares across Kenya to hit 30 percent tree coverage by 2032. Vincent Chelimo from the Kaptagat Community Forest Association says the restoration follows a detailed management plan that brings together government and private groups. Communities get to farm forest land while nurturing new trees through a scheme that shows 95 percent success rates. Dry rivers have started flowing again as biodiversity returns to the area. The program plans to install biogas systems in 28,000 homes to stop people from chopping down trees for firewood. Local woman Salina Cheruto switched from forest dependence to avocado farming and pulls in over 20,000 shillings monthly. The biogas installations have completely eliminated trips to the forest for fuel according to resident Truphena Chepseba. She gets fertilizer from the biogas waste to grow vegetables for extra income. Communities have diversified into coffee, tea, macadamia and pyrethrum farming to reduce pressure on the forest. The five-year program running through 2029 focuses on improving livelihoods while protecting the ecosystem. Officials say community involvement ensures the conservation efforts will last. [/QUOTE]

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