Reforms on the way to save forests

The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife is introducing reforms to ensure effective protection of forests.

The government has empowered Kenya Forest Service (KFS), which was recently turned into a state corporation with an expanded mandate as the country’s forest regulator.

The reforms include adopting strategies that will boost the image of KFS and better remuneration for staff to motivate them.

Logging ban

The agency seeks to increase forest cover from the current 1.7 per cent to four per cent by 2012 and to attain the international standard of 10 per cent by 2030.

KFS is pushing for the lifting of the partial logging ban imposed in 1999 as part of the reforms to avert wastage of forest produce and sustainably meet the demand for timber.

Speaking at the State forest college in Londiani, Kipkelion District recently, Forestry minister Noah Wekesa said the government directive to lift the ban on logging had not yet been implemented.