The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has denied claims that trees are being cut down in the Mau Forest.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 29, KFS clarified that the reports are a complete misrepresentation of the actual situation in the forest.
The service detailed that Mau Forest suffered massive forest loss in the last three decades but the situation has since changed.
"This is utter falsehood & a complete misrepresentation of the actual situation in Mau. Forest loss in Mau has been well documented in the last century & has been shown to be more intense in the last 3 decades. This is attributed to weak policy, legislative, and institutional arrangements then," KFS remarked.
KFS noted that Mau Forest suffered greatly from deforestation and encroachment but decisive action was taken by the government to commence reclamation of encroached land.
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"Subsequently, illegal activities drastically reduced by ninety percent of reported incidents. Due to these measures natural regeneration of the forest and especially that of bamboo species is clearly evident across the Mau Forest complex," KFS stated.
KFS explained that during the 'Operation Imarisha Misitu,' conducted from December 2023 to April 2024, all unauthorized activities in the forest, including grazing, were suspended.
According to KFS, this effort yielded positive results.
Additionally, the service claimed that the country is a leader in Africa in terms of environmental conservation, as demonstrated in the Landscape Restoration Strategy for increasing tree cover to at least 30 percent by 2032.
"The gazettement of the Forest Policy 2024, FCMA 2016, Climate Change Act, regulations and standards, and ongoing institutional reforms in KFS are but a few actions and strategies that have so far influenced positive trends in terms of sustainable forest management," it explained.
KFS added, "Kenya Forest Service is committed to protecting, conserving and sustainably managing all forest resources for the benefit of current and future generations."
