As Kenya grapples to restore its national forest cover to over 10 per cent, Bomet County – west of the capital Nairobi – has submitted a request to the national government to consider designating Chepalungu Forest as a wildlife sanctuary, a move aimed at restoring the ecosystem, promoting tourism and wildlife conservation in the area.

According to Kenya Institute for Public Policy and Research Analysis, Kenya’s forest cover stood at 8.8 per cent in 2021, falling short of the minimum target of 10 per cent set by Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.

“In 2022, during the launch of the National Programme for Accelerated Forestry and Rangelands Restoration, the government raised the tree cover target from 10 per cent to 30 per cent. The goal is aimed to restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded land by planting 15 billion trees by 2032,” KIPPRA says in its latest report.

Speaking at Chepalungu in Bomet County, the Wildlife Conservation Secretary in the State Department of Wildlife John Chumo said the county government had sought approval from the State Department of Wildlife to introduce friendly wild animals into the forest.

“We have provided the county government with clear guidelines to ensure they meet all necessary regulations before approval. Once everything is in place, we plan to introduce friendly wildlife species such as antelopes, zebras and giraffes to the forest, creating a balanced ecosystem that will support both conservation and eco-tourism,” Dr Chumo said.

KIPPRA reports, “The forest cover in Kenya has been declining over the years. For example, in 1990, the country had a forest cover comprising approximately 8 per cent of its total land area, but by 2000, this had declined to 6 per cent, marking a concerning reduction. The situation worsened further by 2018, with the forest cover dwindling to only 5.9 per cent of the country’s land, underlining a critical need for action. To meet the set target of revitalizing the forest cover, a concerted effort was imperative, necessitating a yearly increase of 0.35 per cent in tree cover, equivalent to an addition of 207, 213 hectares annually.”

Chumo said the proposal was being processed in partnership with key agencies, including the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

“This means that in the near future, Chepalungu will be a wildlife sanctuary, which will significantly boost economic activities in the region. So far, they have met the minimum requirements, such as ensuring the availability of adequate forage area and sufficient space for wild animals,” he explained.

Dr Chumo stressed the importance of formal agreements among stakeholders, noting that it was the KFS that managed the forest.

“KWS will be responsible for bringing in wild animals, KFS will provide the land and the county government will develop the eco-tourism sector. This should be a win-win situation for all three entities,” he said.

Bomet County Executive Member for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Julia Chepkuto welcomed the proposal saying it would create new economic opportunities for the local community.

“The creation of a wildlife sanctuary here will open up new economic opportunities for our people. Eco-tourism will create jobs, attract investors, and enhance conservation efforts,” Chepkuto said.

Dr John Chumo also encouraged other counties to establish wildlife sanctuaries to support conservation and economic development. He highlighted that the ongoing national wildlife census by WRTI would help determine the number of animals available for translocation.

“Once the census report is out, we will use the data to translocate some wild animals, including to Chepalungu Forest. It is essential to have accurate numbers before establishing new sanctuaries,” he noted.

The announcement was made during a tree-planting exercise at Chepalungu Forest, carried out in partnership with the Bomet County government. Dr Chumo reaffirmed the State Department of Wildlife’s commitment to the national goal of planting 15 billion trees to combat deforestation and climate change.

According to Chumo, the State Department of Wildlife and Environment has been assigned a target of planting 100 million trees in the country, over the next decade, translating to planting 10 million trees annually.

The initiative to transform Chepalungu Forest into a wildlife sanctuary marks a significant step toward conservation, tourism growth, and sustainable economic development in Bomet County.

Such initiatives, says KIPPRA, are aimed to halt the decline and work towards restoring a sustainable and harmonious ecological balance across Kenya’s landscape…. With the declining forest cover in the country, the achievement of its NDC targets through forests may be a pipe-dream if interventions are not taken to reverse the trend.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Nickson Terer