Environmental activists are expressing deep concerns over the Kenyan government’s recent decision to lift a six-year logging ban, which threatens the country’s already limited forest cover. With plans for development projects infringing upon key forests and illegal land grabs by officials, the environmental consequences are dire, prompting urgent calls for action to protect Kenya’s ecosystems.
Concerns are growing among environmentalists regarding the implications of the Kenyan government lifting a six-year ban on logging activities in public and community forests, enacted in July 2023. This decision has led to an increase in trucks transporting logs on highways, raising alarm over significant environmental repercussions. Currently, Kenya has only 12 percent tree cover and 8.8 percent forest cover, making it one of Africa’s least forested nations, with 10 percent of its 1,100 native tree species already facing extinction.
Auma Lynn Onyango, an environmental advocate affiliated with Mbunge La Mwananchi, criticizes the government’s contradictory stance on climate action, noting, “Kenya’s government talks big on all matters climate change and even hosted the first-ever Africa Climate Summit in September 2023…” The immediate aftermath of lifting the logging moratorium was severe, with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute revealing that six million eucalyptus trees were cut within six months, primarily for export to China and India, resulting in a loss comparable to five Karura forests.
Kenya’s forest cover has been reported to be on a continual decline, now falling short of the constitutionally mandated minimum of 10 percent. The acceleration of deforestation is exacerbated by government development initiatives that are jeopardizing ecosystems and pushing the nation towards greater vulnerability to climate change. As Kenya prepares to host the upcoming Africa Climate Summit in 2025, there is widespread concern about damaging key forests such as Karura, Suam, Aberdare, and Oloolua due to governmental prioritization of development.
Specific plans have emerged that threaten various forests, including a proposal to allocate 50 acres of Suam Forest for a border town and a housing project to facilitate a one-stop border post with Uganda. Additionally, there are intentions to widen and pave roads through the Aberdare Mountain Range, an area vying for UNESCO World Heritage status. Proposals to sacrifice parts of Karura Forest for road expansion have faced legal challenges, yet the threats to these environments persist.
Job Kamau, an activist, expressed concerns about illegal activities in Karura Forest, revealing that tree removals purportedly for rejuvenation have progressed without adequate replanting efforts. Kamau challenges the government’s narrative, stating, “We are being hoodwinked.” Furthermore, evident illegal land grabs in the Oloolua Forest have emerged, wherein high-ranking officials allegedly acquired land through dubious means, leading to protests from the Oloolua Community Forest Association.
Community-based conservationist Kimeli Winston asserts that high-ranking officials seek to exploit landscapes for personal use, having previously encroached upon public lands designated for community institutions. Analyses from Global Forest Watch indicate substantial tree cover loss in Kenya, which does not bode well for the future of the nation’s forests, especially given the existing governmental motives.
In light of continued logging and extensive governmental developments in forested areas, the once-majestic forests of Kenya may soon become historical references rather than preserved ecosystems.
In conclusion, the decision to lift the logging moratorium in Kenya poses a significant threat to the country’s forests and biodiversity. Activists are alarmed by the government’s prioritization of development over environmental preservation, calling attention to the severe consequences of deforestation. With several forests already under threat due to construction and illegal land acquisitions, the future of Kenyan forestry is at risk, unless immediate measures are adopted to protect these vital ecosystems.
Original Source: www.globalissues.org
