Rhino Ark and Kenya Wildlife Services has made a joint awareness venture to conserve the aberdare ecosystem and the maintenance of the 440km electric fence around the aberdare forest which has helped in the curbing of the animal- human conflicts.

88 schools within a near proximity will be involved in the annual relay that kicked off today at Bondeni in Mweiga Kieni west District, this being the second torch relay.

Teams of 10 students will run carrying the run baton starting at Bondeni primary and go round presenting it to the nearest next school. The relay baton is a symbol indicating the commitment of the community to conserve the fence and the forest ecosystem.

The torch relay which is set to run for the next two weeks will go round the schools that are at a close distance and go round the fence that covers a distance of 440km.

Flagging off the run, Tegla Lorupe the word Women marathon record holder noted out that forests are critical natural resources as water towers and habitats for wildlife, a key sector for the growth of tourism.

The world champion blamed the government for the continued destruction of forests in the country adding that public officers have condoned the vice without stringent measures to curb it.

Tegla added that parents should be advised to at least take their kids to a higher level of education noting that they are the champions of tomorrow and with knowledge they will be in a position to manage the income they get from Olympics.

Conservation is a matter of everyone taking responsibility over the issues of conserving and well maintenance of the community at large.