The Kenya Forest Service Board members and senior management officers visited the Base Titanium Mining Company in Kwale County to see the progress of post mining rehabilitation works and participate in a tree planting exercise which is part of the company’s programme to restore the mining fields.
Speaking at a meeting with the management of the company, the Board Chairman Mr. Titus Korir said that the Service will immediately get into talks with the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs to have the area conserved as a forest. He noted that the over 2,500 ha mining field falls between two gazetted forests namely Gogoni and Buda and its conversation into a forest will create a continuous indigenous conservation area with very rich biodiversity.
The Chairman added that the fragile nature of the site calls for its restoration and management as a forest saying that this will be of more benefit to the local community and the nation at large. Other Board Members also called for the conversion of the site into a forest noting that the government was working towards increasing the forest cover in order to address the climate change crisis that is adversely affecting the country.
While addressing the same gathering, the management team led by the Principal Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Ms. Charity Munyasia said that the Service had a long working relationship with the company especially in the area of community empowerment and forest conservation. She appreciated the company’s willingness to donate some of their infrastructure for accomodation of forest rangers and other officers. She also commended the company for investing in a model nursery that can be upgraded produce over one million seedlings annually. She noted that the Kenya Forestry College was also keen to establish a campus at the site to offer training on the management of coastal forests .
The General Manager Mr. Denham Vickers on his part thanked the Board for expressing interest to conserve the site as a forest saying that it was the most viable option as it will ensure the sustainable management of the area.
Later, the Board and senior officers joined the staff of Base Titanium in a tree growing exercise at one of the rehabilitated sites where over 5,000 seedlings will be planted in honour of the Board’s visit.
