Counties commit to work with KFS on conservation

Chief Conservator of Forest Julius Kamau (PHOTO: Courtesy)

NAIROBI, KENYA: Counties have expressed commitment to improving relations with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and enhancing partnership for the betterment of the environment.

Issuance of certificate of origin and movement permits for forest products from the farm and community forests dominated a recent forum organized by KFS in collaboration with the liaison office of the Council of Governors

To support the counties, senior KFS officers will be posted to work with respective CECs in each County to give technical support, build capacity and offer objective solutions not only for the County but also for the benefit of the entire Country.

All Counties were reminded to consider costs and benefits of forest conservation, which has often been a point of concern.

KFS encouraged counties to look at non-extractive modes of utilizing forest resources for example through eco-tourism.

Meanwhile, the forest body on Wednesday held discussions with the Managing Director of Better Globe Forestry Mr. Jean-Paul Deprins and the Executive Director Mr. Jan Vandenabeele. They explored areas of collaboration including forestry development in the arid areas of our country.

The leaders also discussed other areas of cooperation including information sharing with the public. The Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Julius Kamau said that the Service was promoting the participation of the private sector in the development of forestry in the country.

Later on, the CCF hosted the head of the Forest Program at WWF Kiruga Kareko and a forest consultant Mr. Ernst-Paul Zambon in his office at Karura. The team informed the CCF that WWF was carrying out a feasibility study which will result in a forest landscape restoration program which will be implemented in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The CCF noted that the proposed program had come at an opportune time as the Service is concentrating all its efforts in elevating the country's forest cover to 10 per cent and restoring forest ecosystems so that they can continue playing their environmental roles.

The consultative meeting also explored the possibility of payment for environmental services. WWF has had a long relationship with KFS in the management of both terrestrial and coastal forests.

WWF staff meeting CCF Julius Kamau at his Karura office (PHOTO: Courtesy)

Further, the Chief Conservator Mr. Kamau met the executive committee of the Forestry Society of Kenya led by the Chairman Dr. Joram Kagombe where they discussed a wide range of issues touching on the forestry sector.

Among them was the important role the society should play in articulating the professional stand of foresters in forest management in the country. They also resolved to promote the forestry profession among the youth in schools and colleges through mentorship programs and the expansion of opportunities for forestry graduates.