Kenya: The Chief Conservator of Forests, Julius Kamau, EBS, and the Governor of Meru County, Kawira Mwangaza, today led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Meru Bongo Conservation Sanctuary situated partly in Marania and Mucheene Forest reserves of the larger Mount Kenya forest ecosystem.
The new sanctuary is the second in the country supported by Kenya Forest Service, in line with the implementation of the Kenya National Bongo Recovery and Action Plan (2019 – 2023) to provide the forest as a habitat for Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci).
Mountain Bongo is listed as a critically endangered species in the IUCN red list of threatened species at the brink of extinction. Back in the 1970s, Kenya was recorded to have up to 500 mountain bongos, a population that has now decreased with only about 100 species remaining in the country, mainly within forest ecosystems in Mau, the Aberdares and Mt Kenya regions.
The Action plan aims to increase the population to 750 by 2050, and the two sanctuaries, including the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary in part of Ontulili and Nanyuki forest reserves, provide a breeding ground where the population can be increased as they are re-introduced to the wild.
During the groundbreaking, the CCF noted the prime role forest resources play in supporting life and biodiversity. He noted that the country with the current national tree cover of 12.13% aims to reach 30% by 2032 and recognized Meru, whose tree cover stands at 29.63% and Forest Cover at 12.17%.
He also registered KFS’ commitment to the collaboration, given its extremely significant contribution to the conservation of Mountain Bongo and biodiversity in the country.
“The Service, through the ongoing partnership with the County Government of Meru, Kenya Wildlife Service, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Ntimaka and Kamalu Community Forest Associations, will endeavour to support the Meru Bongo Rhino Conservation Trust in the implementation of the Special Use License for breeding of Mountain Bongo,” noted the CCF.
The Governor, in her remarks, acknowledged the longstanding partnership between the Service and the county in forestry development. She particularly singled out the support from KFS for the Mountain Bongo Conservation Sanctuary to be of great significance to ensuring the survival of the species. The Governor also echoed the CCF’s call to members of the public to support the government in achieving 30% tree cover by 2032 through forest/environment safeguarding and tree growing.
The ceremony was attended by, among others, the Deputy Governor for Meru County, Mr Isaac Mutuma, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mike Watson, Area MP(Buuri) Hon Mugambi Rindikiri, Meru County Commissioner Mr. Fredrick Ndunga, Members of the Meru County Assembly, Chairman of Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust Mr. John Kinoti. Chairman Kamulu CFA Mr John Mbaabu, Chairman of Ntimaka CFA Mr. Julius Mugaa among others.