Govt Clarifies Logging at Karura Forest After Uproar

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has issued a statement on the ongoing activities at the Karura Forest.

In a press release on October 29, KFS addressed concerns raised on social media regarding the cutting down of trees at the Forest.

KFS explained that the Forest is undergoing a normal tree plantation management process.

The Service said it is cutting down exotic tree species and replacing with indigenous species in line with the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) and the Community Forest Association (CFA) in this case being Friends of Karura Forest (FKF).

“There are claims on some social media platforms that the ongoing removal of exotic tree species from Karura Forest is forest destruction. This cannot be further from the truth.

KFS would like to assure the public and visitors of Karura Forest that what is going on is a normal plantation management activity which involves harvesting of mature exotic plantation species as per the PFMP which is a legal document developed in collaboration between the KFS and the CFA in this case being FKF,” reads part of the statement.

KFS said Karura Forest being an urban recreational forest would be reverted to a purely indigenous forest.

According to the PFMP this should be done through gradual removal of exotic plantation tree species that occupy some parts of the forest.

KFS Procedures

KFS stated that the programme begun over six years ago but was stopped following the 2018 moratorium on logging in public forests.

However, KFS said it has continued with the programme following the lifting of the ban on harvesting of mature plantations.

The Service said the process will eventually see the removal of exotic species comprising of eucalyptus and cypress in specific areas.

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KFS affirmed that the procedures of disposing plantation materials have been followed to the latter as laid in the law.

The procedure includes;

• Inventory of the selected plantations as per the Karura PFMP.
• Bidding and awarding of tenders.
• Clear-felling and removal of plantation material.

Besides, KFS said the process of replanting and restoring the harvested sites will include:

• Sites clean up and removal of invasive species.
• Site preparation for replanting.
• Actual planting of indigenous trees, shrubs and climbers suitable for the ecological zone.
• Aftercare and maintenance.
• Monitoring and evaluation to ensure maximum survival rate.

“Care has been taken to ensure minimal disturbance to the ecosystem and the public,” KFS explained.

Also Read: Govt to Spend Over Ksh100 M on Forest Fence

FKF Clarification on Karura Forest Logging

FKF had explained that the cutting down of tress stating that the government was getting rid of exotic trees and planting indigenous ones.

In a statement on October 25, FKF said the process aims at creating a better environment for animals and people.

“Hey Karura Crew! Rewilding means swapping out boring old exotic trees for a mix of cool native ones. We’re creating a diverse habitat for wildlife and you walkers and runners — a forest makeover! And it happens faster than you’d imagine,” reads the statement.

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