Saving Kenya’s Forests

Category: Conservation | Date: Mar 11 2008 | By: admin

Publication Date: 3/11/2008

Hundreds of families have illegally invaded Mau Forest, posing grave danger to the environment and wildlife, writes KEN OPALA

Conflicts do not just destabilise human lives. The environment also suffers when mobs take advantage of a breakdown in law and order to invade forests and plunder other natural resources. anuary was a particularly bad month for the 400,000-ha Mau Complex, one of the key water sources in Kenya. Taking advatage of the post-election violence, hordes of people invaded the forest and hived off land for themselves. Others cut down the threatened Podo tree species to burn charcoal.

Conservationists who have mapped the extent of the destruction have warned that the forest could be destroyed by invaders. “There has been trouble there over the last two months,” says Mr D.S. Mbugua, the director of Kenya Forest Services. He is worried by the human encroachment of three of Mau Complex’s 12 forests – South West Mau, Trans Mara, ol Pusimoru and Maasai Mau. According to him, the situation is serious. Read more

One response so far

Category: Conservation, Forest loss | Date: Mar 03 2008 | By: admin

Like everybody in Kenya we are sighing with relief; peace at last.

Sadly, the violence led to great losses in forests. The impact on forests has demonstrated how urgently forest issues need to be addressed. Forests have been invaded by illegal loggers, been torched, in some cases settled and cleared for cultivation, forests infrastructure in some areas has been completely vandalized and or/destroyed. Kenya Forest Service staff comprising foresters and forest guards were displaced from their work stations while others were threatened to stay away. This left the forests open to abuse and it has led to destruction of forests . KFS has lost millions of Shillings as a result of illegal logging.

However, KFS did a commendable job in responding to the crisis sending out rangers to priority areas and sounding out donors to fund restoration efforts. Currently a number of Civil Society organizations including KFWG are working with KFS and some donors to see how best urgent needs can be addressed.

The Forestry sector – in particular the newly created Kenya Forest Service - urgently needs funding for its operation and the political will to support it to serve its mandate. But, ultimately, as Kenyans, we must make sure we show respect and protect forests as we are so utterly dependent on them. We here at KFWG believe its our duty as all Kenyans.

6 responses so far