Demand For Food & Fuel Endangers Kenyan Forests

Charcoal burning and wanton harvesting of tress has led to destruction of water catchment areas. 

An increased demand for food, wood fuel and timber products is threatening public forests.

A report by the Kenya Forest Services (KFS) and environmental lobby groups says that most parts of the country are likely to suffer desertification if measures to control indiscriminate cutting of trees are not taken.

“Water volume in at least eight rivers in the North Rift have drastically declined while springs that feed River Kerio and Sosiani River are on the verge of drying up,” said Mr John Chumo of Friends of Nandi Environmentalists, a local lobby group.

Agricultural experts warn that massive destruction of the forest has contributed to climatic change, resulting in declined crop yields.

“The region has of late recorded erratic rainfall which disrupts planting, resulting in declined crop production,” says Joseph Langat, an agricultural extension officer.

The KFS report says water volumes in major rivers and lakes in the North Rift have declined due to human activities.

“Charcoal burning and wanton harvesting of tress has led to destruction of water catchment areas,” says the report.

Meanwhile, leaders in the region have urged the government to revive stalled irrigation schemes to improve crop production.

They also want the government to increase seasonal credit facilities and introduce crop insurance cover to cushion them in case of drought or floods.

The leaders from Kerio Valley said arable land in the region was going to waste due to lack of support for farmers to adopt improved production technologies like irrigation.

“Food shortages will be a thing of the past if farmers are provided with grants in the form of farm inputs,” said one of the leaders.

Courtesy Daily Nation