A group of conservationists has sought to clear the air on the alleged cutting down of trees in Karura Forest.
This is after Kenyans sparked uproar online sharing videos of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) rangers cutting down trees in the forest and loading the logs onto lorries. Speculation online was rife that the deforestation was an alleged ploy to grab Karura land or develop infrastructure in the area.
“There is a private investor who has bought (grabbed) a huge portion of Karura forest, they are cutting down trees at night with heavy protection of men in uniform,” an X user commented.
"Trees are being cut down in Karura forest and allegedly someone has bought the land. Can the Kenya Forest Service explain why logging is being done within the forest? The cutting down of trees has been done on a very large portion,” another user posed.
However, Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), a conservation outfit dedicated to conserving the forest, explained that the cutting down of trees was all part of the restoration of the forest.
They noted that the restoration was in conjunction with the KFS and involved the cutting down of trees. FKF added that restoration was taking place after a logging ban in 2018 caused a six-year delay.
“Exotics removal and replanting with indigenous species after a 6-year delay. Plan between KFS and FKF to reduce disturbance to wildlife and visitors, starting October 24,” they announced in an earlier statement.
The restoration efforts are aimed at clearing exotic eucalyptus trees that would normally consume excess water, degrade the soil, dry up much faster than indigenous trees, and hinder indigenous growth making it harder for native plants to thrive.
FKF has been at the forefront of restoration efforts in Karura forest since its takeover of the forest in 2010. In 2010, about 70 per cent of Karura forest was covered with exotic trees, especially eucalyptus.
Over the years, that number has reduced to less than 38 per cent of exotic cover following replacement efforts. The goal is to convert Karura forest to 100 per cent indigenous tree cover.
Even so, restoration efforts in Karura have to be done gradually every year. Typically the extent of restoration is 5 hectares. However, the ban imposed led to the halting of any progress that could be made within the half decade.
With clarity provided on the deforestation happening at Karura, FKF hopes that the theories being constructed regarding the safety of the forest will be laid to rest.
