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International Day of Forests New FCC Chairpersons Appointed 5.1 Million Hectares of Forests to Be Restored

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International Day of Forests New FCC Chairpersons Appointed 5.1 Million Hectares of Forests to Be Restored A Quarterly Magazine of The Kenya Forest Service : Issue No. 18 : January - March 2016 International Day of Forests New FCC Chairpersons Appointed 5.1 Million Hectares of Forests to be Restored THE FORESTER :: JANUARY - MARCH 2016 1 FROM THE EDITOR In this issue of the Forester Magazine, the KFS Board For these and more, I welcome you to read and enjoy your copy appointed new chairmen to head the ten forest conservancy of the Forester Magazine. Please feel free to give us your feed- areas in Kenya. The chairmen were taken through a three day back regarding the Magazine and any other issues touching on induction workshop in Nakuru where the Director familiar- forestry. ised them with the Service’s Mandate, the Forest Act 2005 as Happy reading well as their new duties and responsibilities at the conser- vancy level. The FCC has an important role in forest manage- Anne Kaari ment as they are the link between the Service and the various stakeholders in the forestry sector. Elsewhere, the Service together with the County of Taita Taveta signed a Transition Implementation Plan (T.I.P) for the devolved forestry functions for the county. The plan involves discussions, consultations and collaboration be- tween the Central and County governments on plans to un- dertake devolved functions. The Service also celebrated the United Nations Inter- national Day of Forests (IDF) at a colorful event at the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company in Ruai and in selected loca- tions in all conservancies. This year’s theme ‘Forests and Water’ aims at rais- ing awareness on the importance of forests and the ways in which forests and trees sustain livelihoods and protect the environment. It was also a good opportunity for members of the public to be educated on matters of conservation and sus- tainable management of forestry resources. KFS staff joined delegates from across the continent to attend the 20th Session of African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) conference that took place from 1st - 5th February, 2016 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre under the theme “Sustainable Management of Forests and Wildlife in Africa: Enhancing Values, Benefits and Ser- vices”. The conference was officially opened by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities Prof. Judi Wakhungu. The KFS Director Emilio Mugo was appointed as Chair of the FAO African Forestry and Wildlife Commission for a period of two years running from 2016 – 2018. A cross-section of Chuka Forest in Tharaka Nithi EDITORIAL TEAM IN THIS ISSUE EDITOR - Anne Kaari 03 - DIRECTORS FORWARD SUB EDITORS 04 - LEAD STORY - Charles Ngunjiri - Leakey Sonkoyo 09 - NEWS ROUND-UP STAFF WRITERS 12- PROJECT NEWS - Caroline Kahuria 14 - PICTORIALS - Lydia Ogada - Michael Muratha 16 - FEATURES - Susan Ndethiu 17 - PROJECT NEWS - Pamela Gatwiri 21 - ECO TOURISM - Benedetta Wasonga - Royan Ndegwa 22 - CROSS CUTTING ISSUES - Evelyne Macharia 23 - STATION PROFILE - Mellitah Tenges 24 - SPORTS NEWS CONTRIBUTORS - Alfred Gichu 25 - FROM THE FILES DESIGN 26 - HUMOUR AND LEISURE - [email protected] 28 - KNOW YOUR TREES PRINTERS - Pavens Communication Printers DISCLAIMER 2 THE FORESTER :: JANUARY - MARCH 2016 WORDWORD FROMFROM THETHE DIRECTORDIRECTOR The importance of forests to all spheres of life can- not be gainsaid. This is why all countries are committing themselves to reduce forest degradation and increase the world’s forest cover. Hence too the reason the United Na- tions designated the 21st of March every year to be the In- ternational Day of Forests which is marked by all member countries by engaging in various activities. Kenya was not left behind as we marked this important day by planting trees at Chemususu Dam in Koibatek, Baringo County. The run- ning theme for this year was “forests and water”. The event was presided over by our Cabinet Secretary for Environment Prof. Judi Wakhungu. On another front, the Service was able to hand over devolved forestry functions to the Taita Taveta County at a colourful ceremony in Wundanyi. The actual transfer which involved signing of Transition Implementation Plans (TIPs) between the Kenya Forest Service Director and the Governor of Taita Taveta County His Excellency Eng. John Mruttu was also witnessed by our Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary for Environment Dr. Margaret Mwakima. Transfer of devolved forestry functions is a Constitutional require- ment and KFS has identified 21 functions to be devolved. The process of devolving these functions is continuing. KFS Director - Emilio Mugo Kenya was honoured to host the 20th session of the Africa Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) conference its implementation at the regional level; to exchange information in Nairobi. The AFWC is one of the six regional forestry com- and, generally through special Subsidiary Bodies, to advise on missions of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). suitable practices and action in regard to technical problems and The others cover the regions of Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin to make appropriate recommendations in relation to the fore- America and the Caribbean, Near East and North America. going. During the conference, I was honoured to be elected the Its purpose is to advise on the formulation of forest and Chairman of the Commission for the next two years. wildlife management policy and to review and coordinate Emilio Mugo KFS Director LETTER TO THE EDITOR BE THE LUCKY WINNER!!! People have now realized that natural resources are fi- KFS will be awarding one lucky winner of the ‘Star Letter’ . nite and must therefore be utilized sustainably if mankind hopes Write to us with your comments and queries for a chance to to continue depending on them. This can only be done through win the below branded merchandise. conserving our environment and educating the public on the im- portance of tree planting like KFS is doing through participation in the agricultural shows and through their various projects such as Green Schools and Commercial tree growing and Devolution in the forestry sector. These are some of the ways to increase the country’s forest cover to at least 10% as well as to share experience in sus- tainable management of forest resources in order to reduce the effects of climate change happening in the country and around the world at large. Charles Ngari Githaiga Mukuruwe-ini Nyeri ------ REPLY Charles, Thank you for your letter and for your continued interest in for- estry conservation.Kindly collect a copy of the previous 3 issues of the Forester magazine and your branded merchandise at the Ecosystem Conservator’s office in your area. Editor @KeForestService Kenya Forest Service [email protected] www.kenyaforestservice.org Kenyaforest THE FORESTER :: JANUARY - MARCH 2016 3 LEAD STORY Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities Prof. Judi Wakhungu (center), KFS Board Chairman Peter Kinyua (2nd left) KFS Director Emilio Mugo (left) and Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi (Right) take part in dance ceremony with community members during this year’s International Day of Forests celebrations held at Chemususu Primary School, Koibatek, Baringo County. Kenya Forest Service marks International Day of Forests Regional Development Authorities Prof. and other KFS officers, the County and By Lydia Ogada and Benedetta Wasonga Judi Wakhungu was the Chief Guest at Service officers took part in celebrating the event. She was accompanied by the the occasion, which presented a perfect The United Nations General Governor of Baringo County Benjamin opportunity to educate the public on assemblies proclaimed 21st March as Cheboi, the KFS Board Chairman Peter matters of conservation. the International Day of Forests in 2012. Kinyua and the KFS Director Emilio Mugo. Mrs. Kiruri noted that Nairobi County in This day celebrates and raises awareness Also present at the event were senior partnership with KFS had achieved huge of the importance of all types of forests. members of staff from KFS as well as from milestones in its efforts to protect and The theme for the 2016 celebrations the County. conserve forests by actively engaging was ‘Forests and Water’ signifying the Speaking at the event, the local communities in Participatory Forest vital role that forests play as the planet’s Cabinet Secretary said that Kenya had Management. “I am optimistic that supply of fresh water, which is essential committed to rehabilitating 5.1 million we will achieve the vision 2030 goal for life. hectares of degraded forests. She called of attaining 10% forest cover thereby On each International Day of on all Kenyans and stakeholders to join increasing water supply in the County Forests, countries are encouraged to hands in planting trees to ensure the and in Kenya at large. Let us be proud organize activities involving forests and country achieves a 10% forest cover. of our forests.” she said. Her sentiments trees such as tree planting campaigns were echoed by the Nairobi Eco-system Meanwhile, Nairobi County at local, regional and national levels. Conservator who also lauded the efforts joined other Counties in celebrating the The selection of this year’s theme of the area local youth and women groups International Day of Forests (IDF) at a underscores the importance of protecting in conserving forests. She added that KFS colorful event at the Nairobi Water and and conserving our forests for enhanced officers were ready and available on the Sewerage Company in Ruai that
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