Environmentalist seeks to break world record planting over 30,000 trees in a day
A Kenyan-based environmentalist, Jimi Cohen, is seeking to break the Guinness World Record by planting the most number of trees by an individual in 24 hours.
As the world marked Mother Earth Day on April 22, the Australian national Jimi Cohen, 30, bent effortlessly for more than 23 hours planting mangrove seedlings along the coast in Majoreni, in Kwale County.
Mangroves are trees that grow on saline water, whose leaves and roots play a critical role in the marine environment.
It all started on Sunday afternoon at exactly 12.10pm, when Mr Cohen and his team from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Pongwe- Kikoneni- Majoreni Community Forest Association (CFA) and his organization Tree Gens officially resumed recording on camera.
They also recorded on paper, and tallied the number of seedlings Mr Cohen was planting near other mangrove plantations in the little known village.
The officials from KFS would mark on a book, while another member of the community would also have his own record, then later compare to ensure the two are tallied.
By Monday 12.10pm, Mr Cohen, had planted 30,279 mangrove seedlings, stretching multiple kilometres on the shores of more than one village. The current world record holder has planted 20, 060 trees in Canada in July 2021.
He says that at his peak, he planted at least 2,000 trees per hour, and the number was reduced depending on his energy.
“I feel satisfied. I feel excited that I have been able to finish this exercise. My target was to plant 30,000 trees, but I have surpassed it. Now I wait for the verification of my results,” he said.
This happened as the team who had camped at the site for more than 24 hours, recording day and night, celebrated the completion.
Mr Cohen said he chose Kenya because most community members are already willing to conserve the environment, compared to back in his country where undertaking such practices would put him at risk of wildlife attacks in such forests.
He further said the coastal areas provide the best environment for mangrove restoration.
Kenya Forest Service Warden Livingstone Kitawi, who supervised his planting but also provided security for the exercise, said this would complement the service’s mission of increasing Kenya’s forest tree cover.
“We are excited that an individual could plant this many trees. It shows the commitment by various people to conserve our environment,” he said.
Mr Kitawi said such trees will help mitigate effects of climate change on communities.
The planting also came as a blessing to community members of Pongwe Kikoneni Majoreni Community Forest Association (CFA), who got paid Sh1,000 each for the days before and during the planting.
“Our area is one of the most at risk of climate change effects. A greater part of the mangroves in our villages have been cut down while others are sunk in flooded river waters. The restoration will be of great help,” CFA Chairperson Mshemanga Hamisi.
He said communities in the Coast region depend on mangroves as a critical ecosystem that supports their livelihoods. For instance, some communities practice beekeeping in the mangroves, while the trees also act as breeding areas for fish.
Cutting down the trees puts them at risk of ocean floods and harsh environmental emergencies such as extremely high and rough tides.
Two weeks ago, residents living along the coast had panicked with fears of being submerged when water from the Indian Ocean rose above sea walls, getting into villages and houses due to high tides.
Meanwhile, despite Mr Cohen’s attempts to plant the most trees earlier in Kenya and Tanzania being unsuccessful where his equipment failed, he remains hopeful as he awaits the verification by the Guinness Book of Records, which he says does not come with any monetary reward.
Mr Cohen says he hopes to continue monitoring the trees to ensure there’s a high survival rate.
scece@ke.nationmedia.com
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.