The county plans to plant 500,000 tree seedlings. [Eric Wainaina, Standard]

The forestry department in Kirinyaga has selected Thanju primary school as its school of interest where it will plant more than 3,000 trees.

Forest Conservator Peter Ng'ang'a who spoke last week during the International day of Forests said Thanju was picked as a tree planting centre because of its climatic condition, has fewer trees and enough space to plant more trees.

Ng'ang'a said the forest cover in the county is at least 30 per cent of the land area.

"We have made tremendous strides in improving our forest cover," said Ng'ang'a.

The cover has been achieved through collaboration between members of the public and the forest department according to the officer.

Mr Ng'ang'a said there is need to plant different species of trees as a way of mitigating climate change.

The county plans to plant 500,000 tree seedlings.

At least 13,000 will be planted by the end of this week. He has urged wananchi to continue growing trees by taking advantage of this rainy season.