NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry is ramping up efforts to safeguard the country’s forests, issuing a stern warning to cattle herders against illegal grazing.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has outlined a multi-faceted strategy that leverages technology, community engagement, and enhanced enforcement to protect these vital ecosystems.
Tech-Driven Surveillance and Boundary Delineation
In a decisive move to combat illegal grazing, the Ministry is deploying advanced technology to bolster forest surveillance.
During a recent meeting, CS Soipan Tuya emphasized that illegal grazing in forest areas undermines the government’s reforestation goals.
To address this, the government is implementing a comprehensive plan that includes the use of high-tech monitoring systems to track and deter unauthorized activities within forest boundaries.
Additionally, the Ministry is delineating forest boundaries to clearly separate them from residential areas.
This initiative is crucial for preventing encroachment and ensuring that forest land is preserved for environmental conservation.
The government is also launching a fencing program to protect all gazetted public forest lands from illegal encroachments, further solidifying these protective measures.
Community Engagement and New Regulations
The Ministry’s approach includes working closely with communities adjacent to forests.
However, engagement will be limited to those who are members of duly registered Community Forest Associations (CFAs).
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has introduced new guidelines to manage the use of forest lands.
Grazing is prohibited in sensitive areas such as natural springs, swamps, and river sources, as well as in plantation areas less than four years old and regions undergoing natural regeneration.
Strengthening Enforcement with New Recruits
To ensure compliance with these new regulations, the Ministry has significantly bolstered its enforcement capabilities.
The recent recruitment and deployment of 2,700 forest rangers, 100 cadets, and 468 foresters have led to a noticeable decline in forest-related crimes.
This increased presence on the ground is pivotal for maintaining the integrity of Kenya’s public forests as the country works towards its ambitious goal of raising tree cover to 30pc by 2032.
CS Tuya highlighted the crucial role that these new recruits play in protecting the forests, noting that their presence has already made a substantial impact.
