An innovative plan by the government, the International Tree Foundation (ITF) and Wezesha Community Based Organization designed to promote conservation of Dundori forest by involving bordering communities it is rapidly turning the forest around.
For the past two years, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), ITF and Wezesha Community Based Organization (WCBO) have been incorporating locals in efforts to curb tree poaching and stem forest fires, two of the biggest threats to the resource.
“When communities neighboring forests benefit from the resources, they tend to proactively deter illegal logging,” says Phillip Aitaba, the Dundori Forest Manager.
“The close working relationship between local communities KFS, ITF and WCBO has seen a significant restoration of portions that had been deforested and an impressive reduction of illegal logging activities in Dundori Forest. The communities have become scouts and in exchange they are allowed to plant low crops such as potatoes and beans which they tend alongside tree seedlings. Women and youth have developed small enterprises by selling seedlings so they can become more sustainable,” he adds.
Towards improving household incomes, ITF provides funds to pay community members who are engaged as laborers in carrying out certain environmental conservation jobs in the forest.
Through the initiative the locals through Dundori Forest Association are now assuming a central role in environmental conservation by practicing proper agronomical practices in their homes and sourcing for alternative sources of timber for industrial and fuel uses.
The collaboration has been sensitizing the 0ver 3,600 members of Dundori Community Forest Association on climate change, offering training on afforestation initiatives and helping them to find alternative sources of livelihoods that do not destroy the forest.
KFS, ITF and WCBO have been working with members of Dundori Forest Association in identifying indigenous tree seeds to be planted in the forest which respond well to erratic weather and are resistant to pests and diseases.
The venture also aims to identify and map rare and endangered indigenous Kenyan tree species whilst increasing awareness of the local communities and to establish a seed bank with special focus on rare species, helping to increase the biodiversity of reforestation programmes in Nakuru County.
The indigenous seed banking training is being facilitated by experts from Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and ITF where the concept of seed saving, sharing and banking is being emphasized. The training aims at equipping farmers with skills on seed saving, records management, preservation, selection and seed banking among other concepts.
According to Mr Aitaba, 81,500 indigenous tree seedlings have been planted in the forest in the past three months through the joint program. Dundori Forest covers 3609 hectares out of which 1773 hectares are occupied with plantations, 1553 hectares are under indigenous forest cover while bush lands occupy 385 hectares.
ITF Programs Manager Mr Wycliffe Matika indicates that growing more indigenous trees in the forest besides restoring soil fertility also have diverse uses as fodder and source of medicinal ingredients.
He notes, “We hope community engagement in conserving the forest would be able to contribute to the restoration of this basin. We want to improve on carbon footprint emissions. Trees are carbon sink and therefore the number of trees community would have grown on their farm would contribute in terms of increasing the sink.”
Mr Matika indicates that members of Dundori Community Forest Association, are also nurturing a generation of young environmental champions by encouraging the youth to channel their energy into tree planting which gives them ‘clean’ sources of income and safeguards their future from climate change effects.
“Women used to cut a lot of trees in the forest for charcoal burning, since erratic climatic conditions made it impossible for them to rely solely on crop or livestock farming. But they didn’t know that it was the cutting of trees that had contributed to the farming problems they were facing. Our intervention has opened their eyes to this reality,” says Mr Matika.
As an alternative to the charcoal production, the women have been trained on fruit tree planting and encouraged to embrace it.
The women have been equipped with tools and agronomical advice from Kenya Forest Research Institute and International Tree to grow in their homes mango, pawpaw, avocado and passion fruit which give them different varieties of fruits and a constant source of income. They have integrated them with vegetables, which have enhanced the nutrition status of their children and family.
“We are glad that women here in Dundori have taken it upon themselves to watch over indigenous forests and prevent further deforestation and damage to the ecosystem. They know that their efforts will go a long way in helping them mitigate climate change and avert its devastating effects,” notes the ITF programs Manager.
Matika asserts that the right to a clean and healthy environment comes with an individual responsibility.
“The healthier the ecosystem, the healthier we are. Let’s give nature space to recover. Without addressing issues of ecosystem, it would be difficult to restore our damaged ecosystem,” he states.
He says that climate change is likely to negatively impact Kenya’s future development and achievement of the goals of Kenya Vision 2030 — the long- term development blueprint — and the government’s Big Four Agenda for 2018-2022 that focuses on ensuring food and nutrition security, affordable and decent housing, increased manufacturing and affordable healthcare.
“Kenya’s economy is very dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, tourism and wildlife, and health. The increasing intensity and magnitude of weather-related disasters in Kenya aggravates conflicts, mostly over natural resources, and contributes to security threats,” he concluded.
According to the Chairperson of Wezesha Community Based Organization Ms Redempta Mutisya, Nakuru County’s ASALs parts were particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change adding that despite their importance in combating climate change, forests in this country face serious threats, ranging from illegal logging, encroachment, overexploitation, overgrazing, forests fires, pests and diseases.
Ms Mutisya explains that the initiative is placing a special emphasis on women as their responsibilities to households and communities as stewards of natural and household resources position them well to contribute to livelihood strategies adapted to changing environmental realities.
She adds, “Women know and understand what is needed to adapt to changing environmental conditions to determine practical solutions. Climate action empowers women to be part of the solution. Hence, promoting women’s education and participation in decision-making are among the most effective ways of reducing degradation to the environment.”
Development organizations and the private sector, according to Mutisya, need to involve women in meaningful participation in designing and implementing humanitarian, migration and climate change-related risk reduction plans.
“The involvement of women in environmental governance will allow them to contribute their unique and valuable perspectives and expertise on mitigating climate change. In addition, their caring nature and practical skills on issues related to the management of natural resources will come in handy,” she noted.
Thanks to the extensive training on tree planting, 44-year-old Rose Wangui owns a well-established nursery with seedlings of various fruit trees, as well as indigenous tree species that are being replanted in the forest to replace those previously cut.
She notes, “This initiative has also given us a purpose in life, because we know that the trees we are planting in our homes and in the forest will change lives in this community and benefit future generations too. We are happy with these tree planting initiatives as there is a ready market for our seedlings.”
Wangui adds, “I have mango, pawpaw, avocado and passion fruit which give us different varieties of fruits. I have integrated them with vegetables, which have enhanced the nutrition status of my children and family. I also sell them to get money for other basic needs.”
Since embarking on the conservation project, Eliud Chege 34 has never looked back and is today teaming up with the locals in promoting proper agroforestry practices and reforestation by growing indigenous tree seedlings and engaging in environmental conservation awareness in the region.
“As we tend the indigenous tree seedlings we now also farm in the Forest beans, potatoes, onions, coriander and tomatoes among other low crops,” says Chege.
An active and innovative farmer 17-year-old Eliud Kamuyu, who is also a student indicates he has started making ‘deposits’ at his new indigenous seed bank, based on knowledge gathered from the conservation program.
His bank is currently home to a variety of seeds of tree species such as Acacia abyssinica, Lucerne, agarsu moringa, fever tree, African Olive, Red Stink wood, Meru Oak, kumdhe, Syzygium guineense, Olea europaea, Ficus thonningii, Brachylaena hutchinsii, Allophylus abyssinicus, Vitex keniensis and Prunus africanus among others.
He dreams of adding more seed varieties from across the country and beyond.
“This way, the seed bank will not only be a place of exchange, but also a centre of excellence where various stakeholders can visit and learn about seeds,” he notes
Bernard Kigora from Kenya Forest Research Institute notes that currently the country has a seven per cent forest cover which falls short of the United Nations recommended 10 per cent forest cover.
He says wanton deforestation and forest degradation in Kenya is largely a result of human activities, although climate change is likely to affect the growth, composition and regeneration capacity of forests, resulting in reduced biodiversity and capacity to deliver important forest goods and services.
“Rising temperatures and long periods of drought will lead to more frequent and intense forest fires, extend the ecosystem range of pests and pathogens with consequences on tree growth, survival, yield and quality of wood and non-wood products, while rising sea levels could submerge mangrove forests in low-lying coastal areas,” explains Kigora.
He adds, “If the country is to achieve the recommended UN tree cover of 10 per cent, we need to not only plant more trees but also protect existing forests to minimize the negative impacts on the resources and avoid further degradation and deforestation.”
