By Antony Gitonga

The Government has reintroduced the controversial shamba system (non-residential forest farming) in the Aberdare Forest to save the water tower.

Kenya Forest Service says 573 hectares of Geta Forest would be used under the Plantation Establishment Livelihood Improvement Scheme (Pelis), a variant of the shamba system criticised by conservationists.

KFS deputy head in charge of Central Highland Conservancy Elizabeth Wambugu said guidelines are in place on the areas to be cultivated and the type of crops to be planted.

"This will help increase survival rates of the seedlings and improve quality at the natural forest," she said.

Ms Wambugu said only 18 per cent would be under cultivation, and allayed fears the Pelis project was a threat to the forest.

She said illegal exploitation of forest products posed the biggest threat to conservation.

With reports that half of the rivers flowing from the forest had dried up, Wambugu said a draft management plan to conserve North Kinangop Forest has been formulated.