Promoting Professional Forestry in
Kenya
Press Release - 1st March, 2018
“Prolonged
Drought, Charcoal Burning, Logging Ban, Forest Management, Which Way?”
Forestry Society of Kenya (FSK) is a membership organization of
professional foresters in Kenya, registered in 1979. As the only forestry
professional body in the country, FSK has c ontinued to play pivotal role in the
growth and development of the forest sector.
The last few week, there has being increased discussions and
disquietedness on the management of our forests in the country. The Forestry
Society of Kenya (FSK) would like to contribute to the raging debate,
particularly on the technical aspects, by stating the following;
1.
That we take
this opportunity to congratulate the appointment of Mr. Keriako Tobiko as the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment
and Forestry. The society applauds the
effort of the government in addressing the challenges facing the forest sector.
2.
We take cognizant that the country is
facing unprecedented serious and acute water crisis. The attribution that
deforestation, degradation and encroachment of water towers and other catchment
areas, as cause factors for law
water levels in rivers and streams cannot be disputed. Other factors such as
climate change effects should be considered for long term mitigation. The drought has affected most countries in the
region, with the latest casualty being Cape Town in South Africa.
3.
The society equally appreciate the stress the natural resources
particularly the tree resources face in providing the much needed livelihood
support especially in the Arid and semiarid regions of this country. In the
recent past the country has witnessed charcoal bans by county governments as a
measure of addressing environmental degradation, the society will it support
those efforts calls for a more
comprehensive approach in addressing the matter, since the charcoal production
provides the last livelihood option to rural communities.
4.
The society
recognize the moratorium on logging ban in Kenya and hopes it helps in
identifying the challenges and those responsible for it, however past studies and lessons has shown that logging ban has not been an effective way
of sustainable forest management in Kenya. We further acknowledge the Four
Agendas the government has as part of its transformative plan; however the
possibility of affordable housing might be hampered as results of
unavailability of timber products.
5.
The society wish to highlight the massive role the water
towers and watershed plays in providing a number of ecosystem goods and
services that includes water. This point seems to have been lost as we
concentrate our debate on 138,000 ha which 6 % of the total forest cover the
country is endowed with. We further appreciate the integral role our members
has continued to play in ensuring the government generate revenues from
plantation forests while implementing professional forestry practices that
include zonation and right silvicultural practices. While the drought situation
has affected many livelihoods, the causes are more than logging, we wish to
highlight other challenges including forest fires, encroachment, overgrazing,
over abstraction of water resources and climate change.
6.
As we reiterate our commitment to ensure professionalism in
forestry practice with the country, we are calling on the government to provide
additional resources to ensure that the sector challenges are addressed
comprehensively. We further call on our fellow Kenyans to ensure we continue
planting trees and support better management of forestry resources.
7.
The society acknowledge and
appreciate the formation of the taskforce on the logging ban, however there is
need to have forestry professionals in
the team especially in contributing the technical and science aspects in the
assignment. Our members remain available to support government efforts in
environmental conservations. We appeal to the taskforce carry out its task
objectively, without any malice towards our members. The Society will ensure
that its members adhere to professional ethics and are committed to dealing
with those abusing the professionalism. Towards this, the society has developed
code of ethics and aims to put them together into a professional legislation
for purpose of enforcement.
Each Kenyan should play their role in reversing
negative trend in environmental conservation. As the society we call upon
Kenyans to plant trees during the long rains. Our members drawn in all regions
of Kenya will lead Kenyans in tree planting. Our joint effort will lead to a
better environment for all.
Dr. Nelson Maara
FSK Secretary
