By Titus Too

Valuable trees in the larger Nandi District forests are under threat from residents out to make a quick shilling.

The demand for the trees, such as the Elgon Teak, is so high that it takes only hours for one to earn millions from the valuable wood products of the tree that takes between 250 to 300 years to mature.

In Nandi South District, the tree has rapidly reduced in the forests, thanks to the residents’ insatiable demand for it.

Loggers target the tree for its quality timber for furniture and other wood products.

The district has expansive indigenous forests measuring thousands of acres. They boast of over 20 other tree species of hard wood products, but none of them is in as high demand as the Elgon Teak.

wiped out

The Elgon Teak is only found at Kobujoi forest in Aldai. The forest covers more than 17,900 hectares and runs across Nandi North District bordering Kakamega and Lugari districts in Western Province.

Nandi South District Forest Officer, Mr Joshua Charana , stands next to a young Elgon Teak

According to the District Forest Officer, Mr Joshua Charana, the tree can no longer be found in the 7,000 hectare Tinderet forest as well as in the 4,000 hectare Kapchorwa forest.

The wood from the tree is largely used in making wood rails, carvings, and joinery. It is also used in building bridges and for the manufacture of boats, among others. It is in high demand both locally and internationally.

Charana says the tree species grows very slowly and it could take up to 300 years to mature. Its timber products cost upward of Sh6,748 per cubic metre and a mature tree may measure between 20 to 30 cubic metres.

Therefore, a single tree goes for between Sh134,960 and Sh202,440, thus attracting illegal loggers out to get rich quickly.

Charana told The Standard in an interview Elgon Teak is ranked among one of the tree species most sought after in the local forests.

"We have now ensured the remaining species at Kobujoi forest are protected. Our forest guards have been mobilised to ensure there is no logging," he says.

plant more trees

Charana says the forestry department encourages residents to plant more of the tree, among other species, in their farms.

"Farmers should not be discouraged by the slow growth rate, but plant the tree for a good environment and also for the benefit of future generations."

He said they were giving free seedlings of the Elgon Teak to farmers in the region.

Apart from the Elgon Teak, the Brunas Africana, locally called Tendwet, is also a target of loggers due to its quality and medicinal properties. Its wood is strong and can also be used in making bridges and furniture.

Charana says the tree species are still available in Kobujoi, Tinderet and Kapchorwa forests in Nandi South District.

The Brunas Africana has equally good wood value. A cubic metre of its timber costs Sh5,149. It has a slow growth rate and also takes between 250 and 300 years to mature. The Brunas Africana, however, can grow bigger than the Elgon Teak. Charana says most of the Brunas Africana in Nandi has been debarked for medicinal purposes.

"It has a huge bark that is used in treating a number of diseases. Until recently, its bark used to be exported for the treatment of cancer, but the Government banned exports to protect the tree species," he says.

The tree grows naturally in the forests, but the forestry department also have seedlings available in the offices. Its products are also attractive and mainly used in decorating compounds at home and in other institutions.

Nandi South is a highland and serves as a water tower for most of the rivers flowing into Lake Victoria. Charana says conservation efforts are in place to stop encroachment of the forests. "Our area is along a transit zone. We have put our guards on high alert to ensure no illegal forest products are transported. We have recovered some of the products and some cases are pending in court," he says.

medicinal value

Apart from rains the trees bring in Nandi South, the forests are best known in the region for tree species with medicinal value.

Mr John Chumo of the Friends of Nandi Environment says those around the forests should help the forestry department in policing by giving information to assist in conservation efforts.

He says farmers in the region should engage in bee keeping as an alternative source of income since honey and its products are equally valuable.