Government's 15b tree campaign contradicted by forest destruction

Conservationists led by Friends of Karura’s Prof Karanja Njoroge raise alarm over forest destruction, accusing state agencies of failing to protect Kenya’s natural heritage. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Even as the government rallies Kenyans to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, conservationists say the campaign is being undermined by the steady destruction of the country’s remaining indigenous forests.

Environment conservation groups have warned that Kenya cannot claim to be restoring forests while simultaneously clearing mature ecosystems for the construction of infrastructure projects.

Speaking during a joint briefing by Friends of Nairobi Forests and Green Spaces, conservationists described the government’s forests conservation agenda as contradictory, arguing that newly planted seeds cannot replace ecosystems that have taken decades and centuries to develop.

The conservationists stated that the government’s flagship campaign to plant 15 billion trees risks becoming symbolic if mature forests continue to disappear.

They argue that while tree planting is important, seedlings require decades before they can begin performing the environmental functions already provided by indigenous forests.

“A mature indigenous forest is not merely a collection of trees. It is a living ecosystem supporting wildlife, storing carbon, regulating temperatures, protecting rivers, replenishing groundwater, preventing floods, improving air quality and sustaining human livelihoods,” said Job Mwangi, the advocacy manager at the Green Belt Movement.

Job Mwangi, the advocacy manager at the Green Belt Movement. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

The groups questioned the credibility of Kenya’s climate commitments, noting that the country has pledged to increase national tree cover to 30 per cent, plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and honour international agreements on biodiversity and climate change.

“How genuine are these commitments if public forests, national parks and public green spaces continue to be sacrificed for development projects?” Mwangi posed.

Ngong Road Forest was singled out as one of the country’s indigenous forests facing a major threat as government-backed projects, including sports facilities, luxury developments and other infrastructure projects, are lined up for development.

Among the proposed developments are a five-acre luxury tented camp, a 2.5-acre allocation for the Riruta-Ngong Meter Gauge Railway, and 10 acres for a road linking Talanta Stadium to the Bomas International Conference Centre.

They claimed that another five acres have been earmarked for the contractor’s camp and 56 hectares eyed for the proposed Talanta Sports City.

They argue that while each project may appear manageable on its own, together they amount to the gradual destruction of one of Nairobi’s most valuable ecological assets.

“Ngong Road Forest, one of Nairobi's few remaining indigenous forests and an essential green lung for the city, is facing unprecedented and cumulative threats from multiple proposed developments,” said Professor Karanja Njoroge, board member of Friends of Karura Forest.

They raised an alarm that despite the government’s commitments to halt the luxury tented camp project, construction activities continue within the public forest.

“These are not isolated projects. They represent a dangerous and growing pattern where protected public forests are increasingly treated as available land for infrastructure and commercial development,” Njoroge added.

He noted that Kenya has one of the lowest forest cover percentages in the East African region despite government campaigns promoting tree planting, stating that Kenya is losing sight of the difference between increasing tree cover and protecting forests.

“We keep changing our terminology. We talk about tree cover instead of forest cover. That means even the two trees in my home are counted as part of that cover,” he said.

According to Prof Njoroge, indigenous forests provide ecological services that plantations and scattered trees cannot replicate.

He questioned why developments were repeatedly being proposed inside protected forests despite the availability of alternative land elsewhere.

“They plan five acres for a luxury camp, 2.5 acres for the railway, 10 acres for a road, five acres for a contractor’s construction site and 56 hectares for Talanta Sports City. We are not lacking land. Land is available, but stop interfering with our forests,” he asserted.

He warned that once indigenous forests are fragmented, wildlife habitats will disappear, biodiversity will decline and the forests will lose their ability to regulate climate and water systems.

Ngong Road Forest acts as one of Nairobi’s major carbon sinks while also regulating temperatures, protecting water catchments, conserving biodiversity and providing recreational space for thousands of residents every week.

Environmentalists say replacing sections of such a forest with buildings, roads and parking spaces permanently weakens these ecological functions.

While Ngong Road Forest has emerged as the latest flashpoint, conservationists insist the pattern of destruction in public forests is happening in other areas across Kenya.

In Imenti Forest in Meru, the environmental groups have raised alarm over the ongoing construction of a proposed airstrip, State Lodge and golf course inside one of Kenya’s key water towers.

The forest supplies water to surrounding communities, supports biodiversity and serves as an important wildlife corridor.

Conservationists also highlighted continued encroachment into Nairobi National Park, warning that Kenya’s only national park bordering a capital city is gradually shrinking.

They cited the proposed relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and the construction of a 1,300-vehicle parking lot to serve the neighbouring Bomas International Conference Centre as the latest threats.

According to the groups, the park has already lost sections to roads, railways, electricity transmission lines and expanding urban infrastructure over the years.

“Every additional encroachment chips away at an ecosystem that cannot be replaced and Nairobi National Park is dying not in one fell swoop, but through a thousand small cuts,” said Akshay Vishwanath from Just Act organisation.

“It supports over 100 mammal species and more than 400 bird species while generating significant tourism revenue and enhancing Kenya's international reputation,” said Vishwanath.

Over the years, they said, the park has incrementally lost critical wildlife habitat to roads, railways, transmission lines and urban expansion, with the plan to construct a new Nairobi Animal Orphanage and a 1300 vehicle car park listed as the latest threat.

The environmental organisations directed sharp criticism at institutions mandated to protect Kenya’s natural heritage, including the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, the National Environment Management Authority and the Ministry of Environment.

They accused the agencies of facilitating developments inside protected areas instead of safeguarding them.

“These institutions exist to protect our environment, not to preside over its gradual destruction. Silence in the face of environmental degradation is not neutrality. In many cases, these institutions are becoming complicit,” Vishwanath said.

They questioned why agencies responsible for conservation were overseeing public consultations for projects involving forest clearance and developments inside protected ecosystems.

Professor Njoroge urged Parliament to intervene before more protected forests are lost.

“I’m only 71 years old, but what about the child born today? What will they find? We will have destroyed everything that should have sustained them,” he posed.

The conservationists called on Kenyans to defend every remaining public forest, warning that planting billions of trees will mean little if the country’s oldest forests continue to disappear.

“Every hectare of indigenous forest lost makes our cities hotter, our rivers weaker and our climate more unpredictable," Cynthia Wambaa, from Friends of City Park, added.

"We therefore demand that all government agencies, public institutions, private developers and contractors immediately comply with all court orders, cease any activities that contravene judicial directives and uphold their constitutional obligation to protect public forests", she appealed.