Afforestation and Carbon Sinks

Most of the dry riverbeds have deteriorated over the years. There has been a gradual reduction in their water levels year after year, with each dry spell lasting slightly longer than the previous one. Previously None of these rivers used to run dry and their volume decrease to concerning levels.

The organization’s primary objective is to address the adverse impacts of climate change through reforestation initiatives. This mission aligns with the Kenya government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.

The concern is that if urgent action is not taken, the depletion of trees will leave future generations without any shade. The concerns are well-founded, considering the alarming rate at which the country’s forests have been diminishing. A recent report by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) highlights a significant decline of over 12 per cent in the nation’s forest cover within the past two decades.

Following the successful implementation of the water project, focus has shifted toward forest restoration. In 2017, the CBO took a significant step by establishing a tree nursery in and distributing seedlings to local schools and churches.

Group working on leasing land from KFS to supplement farmers input in tree planting initiatives in the area.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen through photosynthesis. By planting more trees, our initiative aims to increase the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere, thereby reducing our carbon footprint,”.

The group's primary focus is restoring the environment and transforming it into a thriving carbon sink. In the past, the area was adorned with lush trees and natural forests, but over the years, the rapid population growth has led to massive land sub division, Tree harvesting and tree felling by the local community firewood collection charcoal burning have left the environment bare.

The group is motivated by a deep passion for the environment and a profound understanding of the effects of climate change.

The group set an ambitious goal of planting 50,000 -100,000 trees within the next four years. The group took significant strides toward this target by planting 9,280 seedlings during the March- April 2022 rainy season, achieving an impressive survival rate of 90 per cent.

Additionally, they planted 12,000 more seedlings during the rainy season of October-December last year. Continuing their momentum, the group has planted 1,500 trees in the March- April rains and aims to plant an additional 5,000, pending the continuation of the rains.

The group obtains seeds from local sources to keep costs low instead of relying on the Kenya Forestry Research Institute. This strategic approach ensures affordability without compromising the quality of the seedlings.

Demand for carbon credits comes from corporate entities especially from the developed world who are emitting enormous amounts of carbon but would like to compensate for their carbon foot print Carbon is captured from the atmosphere and stored in the trees and can only be released when the trees are burned as firewood or charcoal.

The target is 4,000 farmers who practice regenerative agriculture by having particular types of trees on their farms.

Tree types planted:

• Grevillea
• Cypress
• Gleciridia
• Calliandra
• Sesbania
• Leucaena
• Acacia fruit
• Nut trees

Future projection and Sustainability

In the scheme, farmers will receive up to 80% of the sales of the CRUs where each CRU represents one ton of carbon dioxide that has been removed from the atmosphere and stored into the tree biomass Payment will be partly in cash and in kind -seedlings and beehives.

Carbon credits is therefore a reduction or removal of emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.

Demand for carbon credits comes from corporate entities in the developed world who are emitting volumes of carbon but would like to compensate for their foot prints.

Energy Conservation and Technology transfer

Reliance on wood fuel and charcoal by 90% of the population

The use Eco Stoves using Volcanic Rocks would greatly mitigate the deforestation of our forests Eco Stoves to mitigate deforestation due to firewood harvesting, tree logging for wood fuel and charcoal burning

Depending on its chemical composition, a volcanic rock can be:

• Felsic (granitic),
• Andesitic (intermediate),
• Basaltic (mafic), or
• Ultramafic rock

We source the volcanic rocks from In Mt Muhabura Uganda: especially Trachyandesite / Basaltic Trachyandesite

Capacity building for local team to be able to fabricate eco stoves, procure solar fans, source volcanic rocks and distribute to community

Projects initiated

• Fish ponds
• Horticulture value chains
• Conservation agriculture: Tree nurseries and planting of selected types
• Energy conservation initiatives through Eco Stoves and clean energy
• Animal husbandry especially chicken, fish and goats.
• Capacity Building and technology transfer for the energy projects

Fish Pond Preparation

Girls receiving sanitary pads

Download Namirama 2023 Annual Report

Project outcomes

• By 2025, project will have produced following outcomes
• Enhanced forest coverage of 20% in community
• Food security and diversification of incomes to non-traditional foodstuffs along agribusiness in Poultry, fish farming, Bee Keeping and Goat farming
• Innovation through technology transfer to community members for the Eco Stove as a flagship project with an elaborate distribution network in the country.