NAIROBI, Kenya – Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has addressed public concerns about logging activities in Karura Forest, emphasizing that the operations are part of the government’s forest restoration and management efforts.
In a statement issued on Friday, Duale assured Kenyans that the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is conducting a controlled harvesting of mature exotic tree species, such as eucalyptus and cypress, in line with the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP).
This plan aims to gradually restore Karura Forest into a predominantly indigenous ecosystem.
“There are claims on social media that the ongoing removal of exotic tree species from Karura Forest is forest destruction. This is not true,” Duale said. “The activity is a normal plantation management exercise, agreed upon under the PFMP, which was developed in collaboration between KFS and the Community Forest Association (Friends of Karura Forest).”
Duale noted that the PFMP, which was established over six years ago, had been paused in 2018 following a moratorium on logging in public forests.
However, with the lifting of the ban, the gradual replacement of exotic species has resumed.
“The process involves removing mature exotic trees to create room for indigenous species that are more suitable for the ecological zone,” he explained.
The CS detailed the steps being taken, including inventorying selected plantations, transparent tendering processes, and site preparation for replanting.
The plan incorporates planting native trees, shrubs, and climbers, as well as monitoring and maintaining the sites to ensure high survival rates for new vegetation.
Duale sought to allay fears of environmental degradation, asserting that all legal and procedural guidelines have been followed.
Efforts are being made to minimize ecosystem disturbances and maintain Karura Forest as a recreational urban green space.
The logging activity, he said, is not only aligned with sustainable forest management practices but also supports biodiversity conservation by phasing out invasive species.
Duale expressed confidence in the project’s outcome, which includes thorough site cleaning, removal of invasive species, and replanting efforts.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to making Karura Forest a thriving indigenous woodland while preserving its ecological and social value.
In a statement issued on Friday, Duale assured Kenyans that the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is conducting a controlled harvesting of mature exotic tree species, such as eucalyptus and cypress, in line with the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP).
This plan aims to gradually restore Karura Forest into a predominantly indigenous ecosystem.
“There are claims on social media that the ongoing removal of exotic tree species from Karura Forest is forest destruction. This is not true,” Duale said. “The activity is a normal plantation management exercise, agreed upon under the PFMP, which was developed in collaboration between KFS and the Community Forest Association (Friends of Karura Forest).”
Duale noted that the PFMP, which was established over six years ago, had been paused in 2018 following a moratorium on logging in public forests.
However, with the lifting of the ban, the gradual replacement of exotic species has resumed.
“The process involves removing mature exotic trees to create room for indigenous species that are more suitable for the ecological zone,” he explained.
The CS detailed the steps being taken, including inventorying selected plantations, transparent tendering processes, and site preparation for replanting.
The plan incorporates planting native trees, shrubs, and climbers, as well as monitoring and maintaining the sites to ensure high survival rates for new vegetation.
Duale sought to allay fears of environmental degradation, asserting that all legal and procedural guidelines have been followed.
Efforts are being made to minimize ecosystem disturbances and maintain Karura Forest as a recreational urban green space.
The logging activity, he said, is not only aligned with sustainable forest management practices but also supports biodiversity conservation by phasing out invasive species.
Duale expressed confidence in the project’s outcome, which includes thorough site cleaning, removal of invasive species, and replanting efforts.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to making Karura Forest a thriving indigenous woodland while preserving its ecological and social value.
