Communities Embrace New Plans for a Greener Mau Forest
Forest-adjacent communities in the Mau ecosystem now have the opportunity to sustainably utilise and conserve forest resources jointly with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) after the launch of five-year Participatory Forest Management Plans (PFMPs) in Nakuru County.
The Mau ecosystem comprises many forest blocks, among them: Logoman — the ancestral home of the Ogiek indigenous community, Kiptunga, Menengai, Bahati and Dundori.
The management plans mapped out sites in the forests for social, economic and cultural activities such as beekeeping, medicinal herbs, grazing areas and ecotourism sites, among others.
“This management plan is a cause for celebration because it ensures that every user will have a right to access and utilize our forest resources. It also means that each one of us will play a role in conserving this precious forest,” said 63-year-old Konana Konini, an Ogiek elder from Neissuit, in Logoman Forest.
Another Logoman CFA member, Hellen Gubigi, said that the plans will also help the younger generation appreciate their heritage.
“I have children who attend school and have never had the chance to visit some of the sites documented in this plan. However, through reading this document, they will have the opportunity to discover and learn a great deal about our forest. It will enable them to better understand and appreciate the heritage of the Ogiek community.
For many of our children, the importance of the forests and the locations where herbal medicines can be found are unknown. But by going through this book, they will gain insight into the types of trees we use for our beehives and the trees that hold the key to our herbal medications,” said Hellen.
During the development of the plans, the community members also identified key areas that need rehabilitation or protection such as water springs and degraded forest areas.
“The importance of conserving the Mau Forest ecosystem cannot be overstated. It serves as the source of our rivers and springs as well as a vital grazing area for our livestock. We are immensely grateful to WWF-Kenya for their invaluable support in making this document a reality,” added Simon.
Of the Five Community Forest Associations (CFAs) in the Mau ecosystem, WWF-Kenya supported the development of Logoman CFA’s management plan in collaboration with KFS under the Integrated River Njoro Catchment Management for Enhanced Ecosystem Services and Livelihoods (NEESEL) Project which is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
This is Logoman CFA’s first management plan.
Speaking at the launch of the management plans on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, Jackson Kiplagat, WWF-Kenya’s Head of Conservation Programmes said that River Njoro and the forest around it are important water catchment areas that continue to provide water for the communities and other ecosystems such as the Lake Nakuru National Park.
“WWF-Kenya through the project aims to ensure that over 140 hectares of land are restored and about 950 hectares are put under sustainable forest management,” said Jackson.
Kenya Forest Service launched the PFMPs (2023–2027) at their headquarters in Nakuru County.
Other CFAs that received management plans and signed Forest Management Agreements with KFS are Bahati, Menegai, Dundori, and Kiptuga.
By Leopold Obi and Joel Muinde.
#ForestConservation
