Environmentalists raise concern on Kenya’s forest

By George Murage,

Environmentalists have raised the red flag over the massive destruction of Kijabe forest by loggers and charcoal burners.

There are now fears of a major mudslide in the forest which could affect communities living downhill, especially around Kijabe Mission Hospital. Boulders hang dangerous in the forest as heavy rains continue to ponder the area.

The National coordinator Kenya Forest Working Group Rudolf Makhanu said ongoing rains could cause a mudslide in the area. He said massive soil erosion has occurred in sections of the forest due to massive logging and charcoal burning.

He accused law enforcers of dragging their feet in dealing with the loggers and charcoal burners. Locals said they live in fear of the hanging boulders.

They added that despite reporting the matter to the provincial administration, no action has been taken. Reverend Simon Muhota from Kijabe Mission Hospital, said the region is experiencing water shortage due to deforestation.

He said the residents have startd bee-keeping and nature trails to keeping out loggers. “We are living in fear over mudslide due to the destruction of the forest which has left a big sections open to the ongoing rains,” he said.

Reverend John Njoru from Kijabe accused some senior people in the region of using trains to ferry logs from the forest. “We have noticed that some well connected people are using cargo trains to ferry the logs from the forest and we call on the minister concerned to intervene,” he said.
(The Star)

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Posted by AfricaSTI on April 22, 2012. Filed under Environment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry