Forests body in bid to protect water tower

By FRED KIBOR

Elgeyo/Marakwet,Kenya:Project for residents around forests in North Rift to start alternative income generating ventures

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has launched an initiative aimed at discouraging North Rift residents from depending on forests for their livelihoods.

The project involves helping communities living around forests to venture into alternative incoming generating activities in a bid to conserve water catchment areas.

At the weekend, KFS distributed 32 high quality heifers valued at Sh1.4 million to a group of farmers in Cherangany ecosystem in Elgeyo/Marakwet County as part of the initiative.

The project is dubbed Livelihood Programme and is funded by the World Bank and implemented by KFS through Natural Resource Management (NRM).

Sh15 million

The Sh15 million project targets more than 5,000 families, who used to inhabit forest land like Sengwer, Cherangany and Kimala but have since been ejected.

Residents have lauded the project, saying it would help improve their livelihoods.

“We would raid the forests and cut down trees because most residents have been engaging in charcoal burning and illegal logging to supplement their basic family needs,” said Reuben Tekeroi chairman of Sengwer/Cherangany NRM group.

Tekeroi added that since the project was launched last year where 338 heads of cattle and 2,480 chicken were donated, cases of forest destruction have considerably declined.

 “Residents have something resourceful to do and most of their time is spent in farming activities, which has helped in forest conservation,” said Tekeroi.

70-year-old woman Taparandich Kibet, one of the beneficiaries of the project, said the project would help residents tap into the area’s huge agricultural potential.

empowers communities

 “We are now sure of milk for our families and income through the sale of the surplus,” said the elated elderly woman after being given a Freshian heifer.

Marakwet District Zonal Forest Manager Alfred Nyaswapo, said efforts to conserve forests requires strategies that also empowers the local communities.

The Cherangany ecosystem is one of the five water towers in the country.

“These efforts should yield a win win situation and this is what we have done,” said Nyaswapo after presenting the animals to the beneficiaries at Cherangany Forest Station.

He said community participation in forest resources conservation has helped curb illegal logging and charcoal burning in the forests as residents report offenders to the authorities.