Kenya Forest Service launched Participatory Forest Management Plans for Ontulili, Marania, Muchene Community Forest (CFAs)and Ngare Ndare Forest Trust Associations and signed Forest Management Agreements for Ontulili, Marania and Muchene CFAs and in Meru County.
and Northern Rangelands Trustand.
While presiding over the launch, the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests, Natural Forest Conservation, Beatrice Mbula called for more partnerships aimed at community empowerment and conservation. She also urged those present to keep growing trees, even in their farms as a way to mitigate the adverse climate change effects such as floods and prolonged drought.
Greenzones Development Support Project Phase II supported the development of Ontulili, Marania and Muchene PFMPs. Within the county, the Project has also supported income generating activities for CFAs such as apiaries, development of ecotourism sites, fruit farms and tree nursery establishment.
Community Forest Associations play a key role in the conservation of forests while they simultaneously benefit from the forest with user rights for grazing, firewood collection, PELIS, ecotourism and so on. Through their tree planting activities, they actively contribute to the presidential directive of 30% tree cover by 2032.
The County Commissioner was present, together with GZDSP II Project Manager, Jerome Mwanzia, Regional Forest Conservator Eastern Conservancy, Meru County Government representatives, local area leadership and other KFS officials. Partners present during the launch included Kenya Wildlife Service, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Northern Rangelands Trustland.
