Kenya is today joining the world in celebrating the International Day of Forests 2022.
The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the significance of different types of forests, trees and woodlands as an invaluable resource for environmental, social and economic benefits.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
In this day countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.
The organizers are the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other relevant organizations in the field.
In Kenya, Environment CS Keriako Tobiko will lead the national celebrations at Corner Baridi in Ngong Hills Forest.
The celebration of IDF in each year is guided by a specific theme, to enhance the contribution of the global forest sector to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this year’s theme is “Forests and sustainable production and consumption”.
The CS in a statement said this comes against the backdrop of hosting 193 UN Member States for the 5th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), to galvanize global efforts towards sustainable environmental governance, as well as commemoration of 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Adding that it also comes at a time when COVID-19 pandemic containment measures have been eased,with re-opening of national economies and resumption of normal operations.
“The IDF theme resonates well with; Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)12 “Sustainable consumption and production”; The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)“a call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world”; The rallying call of UNEA-5 on “Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”; and the COP-26 declaration of “Raising National ambitions to reduce emissions of GHGs across the world” to address the advancing climate change effects,” he said.
Noting that it is also in-tandem with Kenya’s national aspiration of achieving 10% tree cover by 2022, as Directed by the President Uhuru Kenyatta and obligated by the constitution.
“These underscores, the heightened significance of the 2022 IDF celebration to the Kenya’s context. As the global headquarter for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this day presents an opportunity for Kenya, to reflect and create momentum on implementations of multilateral commitments on protection and conservation of forests, trees and woodlands, not only as a livelihood base for most Kenyans, and an important driver and enabler of national economy, but also for mitigation of the increasing adverse effects of climate change,” he added.
Lined up activities for the day in Kenya will include tree growing exercise, demonstration of gulley erosion Mitigation, demonstration on drone technology, signing of MoUs on adopt a forest, demonstration of seed dispersal, soil organic carbon measurements and Miyawaki Forest Model.
Why Ngong Hills Forest
Ngong Hills Forest Station is a 4,312.20 Ha Public (gazetted) Forest Reserves consisting of three (3) forest blocks; Ngong Hills Block (3,077.60 Ha), Oloolua Block (661,50 Ha)and Embakasi (Kibiko) Block (5723.00 Ha).
The Station (the 3 blocks) lie partly in the sub-humid and semi-arid climate with small pockets of humid climate around the Ngong hills. It has 2,417.4 Ha under indigenous tree (mainly Ficus, Albizia,CalondendrumJuniperous, and Acokanthera species), and 637.2 Ha of exotic plantation tree species (mainly Eucalyptus species). Apart from the difference in altitudes and soils types, the spatial variation of vegetation cover in the 3 forest blocks, is largely attributed to over exploitation pressure & forest fires.
Ngong Hills Forest Station is also a critical biodiversity hot spot and an important watershed. It is known to host a variety of animals including: buffaloes, wild pigs, porcupine, and dik-diks.It is the source for Mbagathi River and Kiserian Stream. Kibiko forest block is the source Mbagathi River that flows through Oloolua forest block and drains into Athi River. While the Ngong Hills forest block is the source for Kiserian Stream which also drain into to Athi River.
Located in the Northern tip of Kajiado County near the sprawling town of Ngong’ and only 25 Kms from Nairobi city, the 3 blocks of Ngong Hills Forest Station has been under immerse exploitation pressure in terms of providing; pasture for the pastoral community, fuel wood for the rapidly expanding population of Ngong’ town, quarry and construction materials for infrastructure projects and real estates around Nairobi. It is also facing challenges of encroachments, forest fires, dumping of solid wastes as well as illegal discharge of sewerage.
This in turn has led to degradation of 1,257.60 Ha of the Ngong Hills Forest Station,29.2% of the total area of the 3 forest blocks (4312.20 Ha).This is predominantly in Ngong’ Hills Forest Block with over 1,000 Ha of degraded area. The growing focus on promotion of non-extractive use of forests such as ecotourism, however present an opportunity for restoration and rehabilitation of the Ngong’ Hills Forest Block.
Ngong’ Hills Forest Block
Whereas, the proximity of Ngong’ Hills Forest Block to the sprawling town of Ngong’ and Nairobi city, has led to its over exploitation, encroachments, and degradation over the years, it also presents an opportunity for transforming the forest block into “a modern urban Green Space”providing myriad of social, economic, environmental, and public health benefits.
With a land area of 3,077.60 Ha and unparalleled vantage points and scenic beauty, the Ngong’ Forest Block is not only unique but also the most significant urban forest and green space around Nairobi city, in terms of land area. It constitutes 46.1% of the total area of urban forests and green spaces managed by KFS.
KFS has developed “Ngong’ Hill Forest Block, Ecotourism Master Plan” to harness the existing opportunities and market the forest block, as; A recreational, picnicking and camping facility with serene beauty and peace; High altitude sports training and hiking areas; and aviable investment for tourism and generation of renewable energy. The plan also provides for rehabilitation of the degraded area (1,000 Ha) as well as fencing of the block and reclamation of the 400 – yard strip that was illegally allocated and encroached.
The Service has issued several Special Use Licenses; (a) KENGEN with 30 wind turbines covering wind farm area of 29.80 Ha; (b) Prunus Energy Systems, 126.40 ha; (c) Secure Homes with and Kompas Ecolodge, 8.10 Ha; and (d) Communication masts – Telecom, Kenya Power, 1.402 Ha;
Rehabilitation and Restoration of Ngong Hills Forest
Rehabilitation and restoration of Ngong Hills forest, has gained traction in the last 4 years.
There has been increased participation and support of both public and private sector organizations towards rehabilitation of the forest.
15 partners have adopted 112 .1 Ha of which 110 has been restored through planting of 110,000 seedlings
Did you know?
- Forests are home to about 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, with more that 60,000 tree species.
- Around 1.6 billion people depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines and income.
- The world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year – about the size of Iceland
Source: FAO 2020
