The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Communities living in two endangered forests have partnered with government agencies ending the perennial animosity and embarking in planting indigenous trees to enhance forest cover.
In the past 20 years, Nyeri Hill and Kilimambogo hills have been destroyed with impunity, as the neighbours fell trees, burned charcoal and massive livestock grazing, thus exposing the community to climate change effects.
However, the situation changed with former enemies,united by Rodi Kenya brought them together through initiation of forest restoration programmes.
To ensure the success of the forest restoration programme, initiated by the organisation in 2021, the tree seedlings used are sourced from the community at a fee.
More than 330,000 trees have been planted in parts of the 6,000 acres within Kilimambogo hills by Zambani residents in Machakos County, through the pact between Rodi, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)and the residents.
Zambani villagers have been at war with KWS over game hunting, charcoal burning and logging as they resisted the eviction from the hilly areas.
Photo/ Part of Kilimambogo forest being taken care of Zambani village residents and Kenya Wildlife Service rangers.
Annie Karoki in her 70’s said she grew up in the area under the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park where charcoal burning was the order of the day.
“ We never know whatever happens will come to haunt the community in future. Today the entire area is under rehabilitation after the community was evicted and settled in the lower areas,” said Karoki.
According to James Kamande, a researcher , many of the wildlife that had migrated to other areas, have trooped back to their natural habitat.
“In Kilimambogo, we have a number of buffaloes and zebras that are increasing day by day. I hope the elephants are on their way as the situation on vegetation has improved,” said Kamande.
Community leader in Zambani area, Mr Elijah Mulwa said after they ironed out their differences with the KWS, they residents have been joining in the protection of the natural forest.
Since 1982, the community has been involved in the massive charcoal burning, with regrets over the destruction caused to the environment being felt.
Photo/A spring that had dried up owing to the massive destruction of the forest re emerged within the Kilimambogo where Zambani villagers fetch water.
Mulwa said residents, being members of Muka Mukuu Farmers Cooperative society settled in the locality more than 30 years ago, before they were ordered out of the forest land and converted to Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.
“Two years ago, through the environmental conservation education coordinated by Rodi Kenya the situation changed after planting of trees, and livestock grazing stopped,” said the chairman.
At Nyeri Hills covering 192 acres , massive destruction was carried out between 1980 and 1984, when the KFS allowed timber merchants to fell down the trees in the commercial plantations.
The residents in return as the custodians of the forest moved in and joined in the destruction and grazing of hundreds of their livestock.
Photo/ Zambani Community members inside Kilimambogo forest after inspection of the trees planted by the residents weeks ago.
In November last year, KFS, community and Rodi Kenya officials entered into the pact that has assisted in the restoration of Nyeri Hill,as scouts monitor the extent of the rehabilitation.
Samson Ngure, the head scout at Nyeri Hill, says in the past one year tremendous changes have taken place, with tens of the people from far and wide visiting over the weekends.
Ngure says through the community initiative alot of changes have taken place with the scouts entrusted in the care and protection.
“Those engaged in protection of the ecosystem get a monthly token from Rodi Kenya that is appreciated by the scouts and the community,” said Ngure.
KFS Officer in charge of Nyeri Hill Ms Lucy Njeri from Muringato forest station said collaboration with the community has assisted in enhancing environmental protection.
Njeri says a year of working with the community has turned round the reduction of illegal grazing and felling down of trees.
“ Instead the community is more involved in protection of the forest and clearing bushes in nurturing of the young trees,” said Njeri.
RODI Kenya Executive Director Esther Bett said following the state of the forests and the effects of the climatic change, through the support of partners moved towards restoration of the forests.
Ms Bett says Rodi Kenya is out to plant thousands of trees and thus moved to partner with the KWS and KFS that controls tracts of land.
She said through the partnership Rodi Kenya is determined to make Kenya green in less than five years.“ The most important is that springs in the Zambani area are back owing to the spirited restoration of the forest after decades of destruction of the forest cover,” said Bett.
