The Kenya Forest Services has clarified that the removal of exotic tree species in Karura Forest is a normal process done after some time.
This is after social media users claimed that the ongoing removal of exotic tree species in the forest is a destruction of the environment.
The video has since gone viral on social media, with Kenyans questioning why there was logging at the Karura Forest.
KFS, however, said the process is a normal plantation management activity that involves the harvesting of mature exotic plantation species.
“There are claims on some social media platforms that the ongoing removal of exotic tree species from Karura Forest is forest destruction,” KFS said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This cannot be further from the truth. Kenya Forest Service (KFS) would like to assure the public and visitors of Karura Forest that what is going on is a normal plantation management activity which involves harvesting of mature exotic plantation species as per the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP), which is a legal document developed in collaboration between the KFS and the Community Forest Association (CFA) in this case being Friends of Karura Forest (FKF).”
KFS said that according to the Participatory Forest Management Plan, Karura Forest is an urban recreational forest.
The Forest Service said that it would revert to an indigenous forest through the gradual removal of exotic plantation tree species that occupy some parts of the forest.
“This programme began over six years ago but following the 2018 moratorium on logging in public forests, the exercise was stopped,” the statement read.
"However, following the lifting of the ban on harvesting of mature plantations, KFS has continued with the programme that will eventually see the removal of the exotic species comprising of eucalyptus and cypress in specific areas.”
KFS said the procedures of disposing of plantation materials have been followed to the letter as laid in the law.
The procedure includes an inventory of the selected plantations as per the Karura PFMP, bidding and awarding of tenders and clear-felling and removal of plantation material.
The Forest Service added that the process of replanting and restoring the harvested sites includes site cleaning and removal of invasive species, site preparation for replanting and actual planting of indigenous trees, shrubs and climbers suitable for the ecological zone.
The aftercare and maintenance include monitoring and evaluation to ensure maximum survival rate.
“Care has been taken to ensure minimal disturbance to the ecosystem and the public.”
