Question
Give measures that the government of Kenya is taking to manage forests in the Country.
Answer
- Research is being carried out on soil erosion requirements for different species of trees to enable the foresters to plant trees in areas with suitable soils.
- Public campaigns on the importance of forests are being conducted through mass media.
- Forested areas have been gazetted to reduce encroachment of the public.
- Establishment of forest training institutions at Londiani and the Department of Forestry at Moi University to oversee forest management and conservation.
- Employing forest guards to protect forests from fires/other illegal human activities.
- Enacting laws such as the Forest Conservation and Management Bill, 2014, to prohibit the cutting of trees without a license/protecting indigenous tree species.
- Encouraging the use of alternative sources of energy e.g., energy-saving jikos, solar, biogas to reduce the demand for trees for fuel.
- Introduction of faster-maturing trees of high commercial value e.g., Eucalyptus, pines, and cypress.
- Reduction of wastage of forest resources by encouraging recycling of forest products.
- Attempts to improve tree-cutting practices through selective harvesting and rotational felling of trees followed by replanting on national tree planting day.
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