NAIROBI, Kenya- The Green Belt Movement has raised concerns over the alleged construction of a luxury inside the Ngong Road Forest.
Already, the organisation has written to Alex Lamarkoto, the chief conservator of forests, to clarify the status of the project.
“Green Belt Movement writes to express our deep concern and seek immediate clarification regarding reports of an ongoing construction of a luxury hotel within the Ngong Road Forest, adjacent to the sanctuary,” the letter reads in part.
The Ngong Road Forest Association is responsible for managing and protecting the Ngong Road Forest in Nairobi, Kenya.
Why the Ngong Road Forest is a critical landscape
The forest covers an area of 1,224 hectares and plays a significant environmental role in the region. The association’s mission focuses on environmental conservation through wise management practices to safeguard the forest’s natural resources.
In the letter seen by Y News, the Green Belt Movement indicated that Ngong Road Forest is a critical ecological and biodiversity resource in Nairobi.
“It provides essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, air purification, and water catchment protection, and serves as an important recreational and educational green space for the city’s residents,” the letter further reads.
🚨Dear Kenyans, a luxury hotel is being built inside Ngong Road Forest—next to the sanctuary. Who approved this? Where is the EIA? Was the public consulted? @KeForestService must urgently explain how a forest reserve is being handed to private developers. #SaveNgongForest 🌳
The landscape is also home to diverse flora and fauna, some of which are endangered.
“It has come to our attention that a private developer has begun work within this forest area. The development, if confirmed, raises serious environmental, legal, and ethical concerns,” the one-page letter reads.
What are the demands of the Green Belt Movement
In light of the above, the Green Belt Movement demanded that the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests disclose the identity of the developer undertaking construction within the Ngong Road Forest.
The organisation is also demanding a detailed outline of the process through which the said developer was granted access and/or rights to carry out any form of construction within a protected forest area.
Another aspect is a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and license as issued by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), if any, with respect to this project.
