CS Soipan Tuya bans livestock grazing in forests

Summary

The government has prohibited livestock grazing in all public forests to achieve a 30% tree cover by 2030. The move, led by Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Soy Pan Tuya, aims to counteract the rise in illegal grazing, which threatens the nation's goal of planting 15 billion trees. The ministry will collaborate only with registered community forest associations for sustainable forest management. Technology is being deployed to enhance surveillance, and efforts are underway to demarcate boundaries and expand forest fencing. The Kenya Forest Service has also issued guidelines for grazing in public forests.

Takeaways

• 🚫 The government has prohibited livestock grazing in all public forests to reach a 30% tree cover by 2030.
• 🌳 The move is aimed at combating the rising issue of illegal grazing which hampers the government's tree planting progress.
• 🌿 The 15 billion tree growth target is a significant national goal that the government is working towards.
• 📜 The Ministry will engage only with registered Community Forest Associations for sustainable forest management activities.
• 🤝 Participatory Forest Management Plans and agreements are integral to the government's approach with local communities.
• 🔍 Technology is being deployed to enhance forest surveillance and to speed up the demarcation of boundaries.
• 🏞️ The fencing program is being expanded to cover all gazetted public forests to enforce the grazing ban.
• 📋 The chief conservator of forests is tasked with ensuring strict implementation of grazing and grass harvesting rules.
• 📢 The Kenya Forest Service recently released guidelines on grazing in public forests, indicating ongoing efforts to manage this issue.

Q & A

What is the government's goal regarding tree cover by 2030?

The government aims to increase the country's tree cover to 30% by 2030.

Why has the government banned livestock grazing in public forests?

Livestock grazing in public forests has been banned to curb illegal grazing, which is on the rise and undermines the progress towards the national tree growing target.

Who is Soy Pan Tuya and what is his role in this context?

Soy Pan Tuya is the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change, responsible for implementing policies and regulations related to forest management and conservation.

What is the government's 15 billion tree growing target?

The government has set a target to grow 15 billion trees as part of its environmental conservation and climate change mitigation efforts.

How does the government plan to ensure sustainable forest management activities?

The government will engage only with forest-adjacent communities that are members of duly registered Community Forest Associations through negotiated participatory forest management plans and agreements.

What technology is being deployed to enhance forest surveillance?

The ministry is working with partners to deploy technology to enhance forest surveillance, which includes hastening the delimitation of boundaries and expanding the fencing program.

What has the ministry directed the Chief Conservator of Forests to do?

The ministry has directed the Chief Conservator of Forests to ensure that established rules and regulations on grazing and grass harvesting in public forests are implemented strictly.

What is the role of Community Forest Associations in this initiative?

Community Forest Associations play a crucial role by participating in negotiated participatory forest management plans and agreements, ensuring sustainable forest management practices.

How does the government plan to involve local communities in forest management?

The government plans to involve local communities by engaging with them through Community Forest Associations and participatory forest management plans.

What measures are being taken to prevent illegal grazing in public forests?

Measures include deploying technology for enhanced forest surveillance, expanding the fencing program, and ensuring strict implementation of rules and regulations by the Chief Conservator of Forests.

What was the recent action taken by the Kenya Forest Service regarding grazing guidelines in public forests?

The Kenya Forest Service released a statement on grazing guidelines in public forests, outlining the rules and regulations to be followed to prevent illegal grazing.