Residents of Vihiga County have today planted 13,000 trees at Maragoli hills in a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change.Vihiga County has a target of planting 2.3 million trees every year for the next ten years which will help in mitigating the effects of climate change.Speaking during the tree planting exercise, National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) CEO Samson Taniok commended residents for collaborating with the government in conserving the environment by planting trees.Taniok cited the benefits of trees including biodiversity conservation, climate regulation and resources for local livelihoods.He encouraged residents to plant fruit trees at their homes which will act as food, source of income by selling the fruits, for aesthetic value and they can also provide shelter adding that this will help the county achieve ten percent tree cover.He urged residents to nurture the trees planted so that they can increase the area of the forest and tree cover saying this will restore the former sta te of Maragoli Hills and improve on its status.He called on residents to ensure that when marking or celebrating special events in their lives they plant trees.Rose Akombo from the State Department of Forestry appreciated the efforts of the local community saying plans are underway to set up a honey refinery which will create employment for the community and improve living standards.Akombo also said Maragoli Hills will develop ecotourism jobs which will provide sustainable income while promoting forest conservation.Source: Kenya News Agency