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
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One Comment
Thank you for the news. I been talking with Ken Mwathe head of Birdlife Kenya about this serious problem in Kenya. Unfortunately, there is only bad news. There are lack of funding for now for this issue in the LNCG. We are working in some other options to help as soon as possible. Today, in a few hours, I will get in touch again with Ken to discuss this matter. I´ll keep you informed. Thanks.