4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1.1 Policy and Institutional Changes
Policy and institutional reforms are already in progress. A new forest policy and forest bill are at an advanced stage. There should however be a close follow-up to effect speedy completion. It is expected that the completion of the new forest policy and bill, will lead to the strengthening of the capacity especially expertise and logistical capability in the institution which will be charged with the management of the forest resource.
To stream line the administration and management of the forest plantation, it is suggested that the following actions be undertaken:
Medium term (5-15 years) will involve full transfer of management of forest plantations to a new efficient management organization
Long term (15-25) years will ensure that the long-term objectives of the programmes are being met sustainably.
Investment in Forestry
In order to achieve sustained forest management, there will be a need to carry out a well-focused investment in the following areas:
Forest valuation
Capacity building in resource assessment, planning and management, impact assessment, geographical information systems, monitoring and evaluation
Research in non-wood tree products to enhance their economic potential
Development of credit support to private forest investments
Improving data and information for management planning through regular surveys and forest inventories
Developing and improving marketing of forest products
Modernization of forest industries to improve efficiency
Dry land sylviculture
Forest Management
To effect sustained forest management, the following actions will be under taken:
Capacity building in resource assessment, planning and management, impact assessments and GIS, monitoring and evaluation
Research in non-wood tree products to enhance their economic potential.
Forest inventory (Farm forestry, Indigenous forests and Dry land forests)
Social and economic valuation of the forestry sector
Development of management plans for all forest blocks
Institutional linkages to partners in forest industry
Acquisition of technologies especially in tissue culture
propagation of commercial tree species, utilization and processing of NWFPs
Research on tree improvement and growth modelling
Identification and domestication of fast growing commercial tree species to broaden the resource base
Vigorous promotion and utilization of new and renewable sources of energy with a view to substituting fuel wood, agricultural waste and animals waste
Given the current state of the forestry sector in Kenya, unless changes in regulatory mechanisms such as legislation and policy are put in place in good time, we are likely to continue losing our forest cover to other land uses. It is expected that the changes in the policies and legislation will address problems associated with changes in land use, funding of the forestry sector and stakeholder involvement.
In view of the critical importance of the role of indigenous forests in soil and water conservation, Biodiversity conservation and contribution to the country’s socio-economic development, it is imperative that the current destructive trend should be reversed. It is in this light that new management strategies be put in place.
Forests in ASALs have been ignored for a long time despite their huge economic potentials. It is in view of this that investment in resource utilization and processing, tree improvement and domestication, new management strategies, and adoption of appropriate technology are strongly advocated for.
Plantation forestry has been the backbone of industrial wood production since the beginning of the last half of the 20th century. Due to mismanagement under the current scenario, their continued contribution to the sector is unsustainable. It is therefore proposed that their management be commercialised within the short-term framework.
The future of forestry in Kenya lies outside the gazetted forests. To this end, farm forestry is expected to provide the bulk of wood resources for domestic and industrial use. It has been noted already that the investment trend has shifted towards the development of farm forestry and this has lead to increase in tree cover on the farms. The recognition of the involvement of the private sector in this development endeavour is fundamental to the divestiture programme currently being undertaken by the government.
In the past, management initiatives and research programmes have ignored development of NWTPs especially in the dry areas. Current reality indicates that NWTPs have great socio-economic potentials especially in ASALs. This potential can be exploited objectively as incentives to effect sustainable forest resources management.
This report clearly confirms that if proper management strategies of forest resources are put in place, the sector can contribute significantly to national economy. The main challenge is to put these strategies in place.
