Kenya’s Mau Forest Complex is one of the largest blocks of continuous forest land in East Africa which comprises a rich biodiversity, not only in terms of ecosystems but species as well.
Being one of the main ‘water towers’ in the country, the Mau complex also plays a vital role in water catchment.
However, due to extensive illegal activities, such as deforestation coupled with factors like increased human population, forests within the complex are gradually decreasing. One such forest is the Mau Eburu in Naivasha.
The forest is of paramount importance since it is the source of several water bodies such as the Ndabibi River, forms part of the catchment for lakes Naivasha and Elementaita and is home to several endangered wild animals like the East African mountain bongo antelope (Boocerus eurycerus isaaci).
Just like many of the country’s forests, however, Eburu Forest has been debasing over the past few years mostly as a result of increased logging and charcoal burning by settlers around the forest.
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A number of projects have been launched in previous attempts to save the forest from extinction, some of which are still on-going. The fencing of the reserve to curb human-wildlife conflict kicked off last year with the help of Rhino Ark, the Safaricom Foundation and Finlays Horticulture.
Despite all efforts however, environmental conservationists have warned that about 50 per cent of the forest is still at risk of further destruction.
Rudolf Makhanu, the national co-ordinator of the Kenya Forest Working Group, says the Government ought to put in more effort to protect and conserve the forest. At a meeting held in Nakuru recently, Makhanu said the Government is only concerned with planting more trees in the forest but is less focused on effectively dealing with illegal loggers in the area.
Joseph Kamendo, the chairman of Eburu Committee Forest Association, wants the locals to be involved in the conservation efforts.