Nairobi — Serena Mountain lodge has stepped up its re-afforestation exercise in parts of Mount Kenya forest.

The area targeted for re-afforestation project covers 917 hectares of land located in parts of Hombe and Kabaru Forests in the Mount Kenya region. More than 1.6 million tree seedlings have since been prepared to cover the vast open area.

As a result of human activities, the land surrounding the lodge stands bare with much of the plantation forest that comprised mainly of exotic cypress and pine trees having been seriously logged without any replanting being done.

The lodge has since developed a two-pronged tree planting strategy where both indigenous and exotic trees that grow fast are planted. A huge collection of tree seedlings germinating naturally in the forests is being done to allow for fast growth.

Trees species including Kenya pencil Cedar, East Africa yellow wood, East African Olive, pine, cypress and eucalyptus are now a common feature in the forest which has also seen the tree nursery grow to one and a half acres.

The project which has also created employment and engage the work of an environmental Naturalist has grown to even involve the neighbouring community, schools, scientific clubs from schools wildlife clubs and hotel guests to participate in tree planting exercises.