Forest illegalities undermining restoration efforts, CS Duale says

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale now says forest illegalities like logging remain the greatest challenge to forest restoration efforts.

Duale on Friday said such illegalities are undermining Kenya's ambitious landscapes and ecosystems restoration agenda that includes the Kenya Kwanza administration's flagship 15 billion tree-growing initiative.

"Illegal logging, encroachment, and exploitation of our forest resources have severely undermined our conservation efforts, threatening not only our environment but our future as a nation," said Duale.

While speaking at the 47th graduation ceremony of the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho County at which 197 trainees graduated with various diploma and certificate qualifications, Duale instructed Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to be firm in the enforcement of forest protection laws.

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The former legislator and Defence CS vowed to end illegal logging of public forests and ordered criminals involved in forest illegalities to stop.

"This commitment is non-negotiable if we are to secure our forests for the future," he said adding, “The government is keen on fencing all public forests to keep away encroachers.”

At the same time, the CS rallied all Kenyans to actively participate in the 15 billion tree-growing campaign saying the initiative was both a climate action and livelihoods support programme.

"Together, we aim to grow 15 billion trees over the next decade and restore over 10.6 million hectares of degraded lands to productivity. This is a collective responsibility, and I implore every Kenyan to play their part," said Duale.

He advised Kericho County leaders and residents to accelerate tree-growing initiatives noting that the devolved unit had a target of 163 million new trees in 10 years as its contribution to the 15 billion national target.

While reiterating last month's government ban on raw wood veneer exports Duale urged the KFS to firmly enforce the decision.

To the 197 graduates, Duale advised them to use their newly acquired skills, competencies and knowledge to contribute to the sustainable management of Kenya's valuable forest resources.

He rallied the fresh graduates to proactively participate in the opening up of the rich forestry value chains for wealth and employment creation, in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration's BETA plan.

According to him, forest-based goods and services are vital to the country's socioeconomic development, providing a suitable environment for rural and urban development.

"The sustainable management of these resources, a task they are now ready to undertake, is essential for our economic growth and environmental conservation," he said.

Duale further advised Community Forest Associations (CFAs) to work closely with KFS, saying that as host communities, they had a key role in sustainable forest management.

In addition to participatory forest management, as required of them by law, Duale urged the CFAs to take a keener interest in other landscapes and ecosystem restoration efforts including the 15 billion tree-growing plan.

"Let us renew our commitment to protecting and restoring our forests, supporting KFS in its mandate, and participating actively in the government's initiatives to safeguard our natural heritage," he said.