Kenya: Yesterday Kenya Forest Service Department marked the launch of the Lariak Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) and the Forest Management Agreement (FMA) signing. This exercise was presided over by the Ag.Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko at Lariak Forest Station, Laikipia County.
Lariak Forest covers an area of 7,488 Ha including 2,500 Ha reclaimed from illegal settlements. The forest adjacent community have come together through the Lariak Community Forest Association (LACOFA) in order to reverse the diverse effects of unsustainable use of the forest resources.
Speaking during the launch, the Ag. Chief Conservator Forest commended the county of Laikipia for their efforts in raising the forest and tree cover as per the National Forest Resources Assessment Report, 2021.
The Ag. CCF pledged to support Lariak Forest Station to upgrade seedling production capacity to 2 million seedlings to enhance ease of access to seedlings within the region. He highlighted that the Service will engage partners to enable fencing of the forest which will reduce cases of human wildlife conflict.
The Service appreciates the vital role played by the Food And Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in facilitating the processes for review of the 5 year Lariak Forest PFMP. This PFMP will enhance the community’s ability to engage in the conservation of the forest and its biodiversity in turn promoting rehabilitation of degraded areas and contributing to achievement of 30% tree cover.
This signing ceremony was attended by FAO Representative, Phillip Kisoyan, Central Highlands Regional Forest Conservator Mr. Andrew Soi, representatives from Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Programme (SACDEP-Kenya), County Government of Laikipia, Central Highlands KFS officers, National Government Administrative Officers and the local community.
On the same day, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Board Chairman Eng. Benjamin Maingi led staff from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Kenya Forest Service and KBC in launching KBC’s National Tree Growing Campaign by planting 520 indigenous tree seedlings at the organization’s transmission station in Limuru, Kiambu County.
The Campaign will oversee the growing of trees in all their transmission stations across the country with KFS providing technical and advisory support to augment the Service’s effort in planting 15.7 billion trees by 2032.
Isaiah Nakoru (representative from The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry) mentioned that the Ministry is working to mobilize stakeholders across the country and establish green enterprises to generate green jobs, especially for the youth.
Also in attendance at the event was the KBC senior management, Kiambu Assistant County Forest Conservator, Deputy County Commissioner, other KFS officers and local leaders.
