NAIROBI, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will engage key stakeholders to strengthen protection of wetlands amid growing threats linked to rapid urbanization, climate change and population pressure, officials said on Wednesday.
Stephen Katua, director in charge of wetlands at National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), said that enhanced protection of wetlands has been prioritized to hasten realization of green agenda in the country.
"A policy on wetlands has already been enacted while new legislation is in the works to strengthen their conservation in line with a national climate resilience agenda," said Katua.
He spoke in Nairobi during a forum on wetlands organized by NEMA, telecoms firm Safaricom and green lobbies to brainstorm on innovative measures required to protect these ecosystems from human and climate induced threats.
Kenya will join the rest of the world to mark World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 in the northern county of Laikipia amid growing consensus these habitats are key to achieve food security and climate resilience in the country.
Katua said the government will focus on targeted interventions like law enforcement, research and public awareness to minimize threats of pollution and human encroachment responsible for declining health of wetlands.
"We are soon going to map all wetlands in the country, identify new threats to their survival and come up with a robust master-plan to reclaim health of these resources," said Katua.
Kenya is signatory to the Ramsar Convention and is home to six sites designated as wetlands of international importance that include Tana River Delta, Lakes Baringo, Elementaita, Bogoria, Naivasha and Nakuru.
