mau forest complex concept paper

7/29/2019 Mau Forest Complex Concept Paper

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Rehabilitationof

the

Mau

Forest

Ecosystem

AProjectConceptpreparedbytheInterimCoordinatingSecretariat,OfficeofthePrimeMinister,onbehalfoftheGovernmentofKenya

September2009


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2

AcronymsCBD

CBO

ConventiononBiologicalDiversity

CommunitybasedOrganization

CFAs CommunityForestAssociations

EIA Environmentalimpactassessment

FAO

UnitedNations

Food

and

Agriculture

Organization

GoK TheGovernmentofKenya

ha Hectares

KFS KenyaForestService

KWS KenyaWildlifeService

M&E MonitoringandEvaluation

MEMR MinistryofEnvironmentandMineralResources

MFC MauForestsComplex

MFW MinistryofForestryandWildlife

MOF MinistryofFinance

MOU

Memorandumof

Understanding

MoWI MinistryofWaterandIrrigation

MW Megawatts

NALKARI KenyaAgriculturalResearchInstitute

NCC NarokCountyCouncil

NEMA NationalEnvironmentManagementAuthority

NGOs NongovernmentalOrganizations

MRBMI MaraRiverBasinManagementInitiative

NORAD Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

NRM NaturalResourceManagement

NTFP

Non

timber

Forest

Products

PES PaymentforEnvironmentalServices

PFM ParticipatoryForestManagement

REDD Reducedemissionsfromdeforestationandlanddegradation

SOK SurveyofKenya

SSOK SoilSurveyofKenya

UNEP UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme

USAID UnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment


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TableofContentsExecutivesummary...............................................................................................4

I. Introduction......................................................................................................5

II.NationalVisionandStrategicPlanning.............................................................6

III.Mauforests:thepotential ...............................................................................7

IV.Mauforests:anationalcrisisinthemaking ....................................................7

V.GOKs

response

to

address

the

crisis ..............................................................11

VI.KeyinterventionsfortherestorationoftheMau..........................................12

Immediateinterventions ......................................................................................................12

Effectiveinstitutionalframework.....................................................................................12

StrategicManagementPlanforMauForestsComplex.................................................... 13

Boundarysurveysandissuanceoftitledeedsforforestblocks .......................................13

Monitoringandenforcement........................................................................................... 14

Relocationandresettlement............................................................................................. 14

Livelihoodsupportanddevelopment...............................................................................15

Publicawareness

and

community

sensitization ...............................................................15

Mediumterminterventions................................................................................................. 15

Forestspecificmanagementplans ...................................................................................15

Restoration/replantingofdegradedsites ....................................................................... 16

Longertermrestoration .......................................................................................................16

Privatesectorinvestment................................................................................................. 17

VII.Conclusions...................................................................................................18


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ExecutivesummaryTheMauForestsComplex(MFC)isconsideredthemostimportantofthefivemainwatershed

areasinKenyabecauseofitseconomic,socialandenvironmentalcontributiontothecountry.

These watershed areas are commonly referred to as Water Towers. The Mau forests

ecosystemhasahighandrapidlygrowingpopulation.The forest isunder increasingthreat

from

irregular

and

illplanned

settlements,

encroachments

and

illegal

forest

resource

exploitation.Overthelastdecades,approx.25%ofMauforesthasbeenlosttoexcisionsand

encroachment.

Currently,mostoftheforestareasareunderthemanagementandresponsibilityoftheKenya

ForestService.TheexceptionistheMaasaiMauforestwhichisaTrustLandForestunderthe

managementoftheNarokCounty.

Continueddestructionoftheforestsisleadingtoawatercrisis:perennialriversarebecoming

seasonal,stormflowanddownstreamfloodingareincreasing,insomeplacestheaquiferhas

dropped by 100 meters while wells and springs are drying up. In addition there are global

concerns resulting from loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon dioxide emissions as a

result of forest cover loss. Poor soil and water resources conservation practices of thedeforested land is causing soil erosion and decreasing crop yields in an area of high

agricultural potential; on the commercial tea estates, yields are being affected by micro

climaticchanges.

In recent years, the Government of Kenya (GoK) has taken significant steps towards

addressing the threat of rapid ecological degradation of its forest resources. A new forest

policyand lawwereadopted in2005.Theforestlawhasplacedsignificantemphasisonco

managementofforestresourceswithlocalcommunitiesandtheprivatesectorandlaysthe

foundation for thestrictcontrolof loggingandhumansettlements.Asa furthersignof its

commitment,

the

Government

established

a

30

member

Task

Force

(reporting

to

the

Prime

Minister) whose responsibility was to study and make recommendations to GoK on the

immediate,short andlongtermoptionsforrestoringtheentireMauForestsComplex.The

Task Force completed its work and submitted recommendations to the Government in

March2009.GoK iscommittedtoreversingthecontinuedenvironmentaldestructionofthe

Mauinlinewithitsmediumandlongtermnationaldevelopmentplans,articulatedinVision

20301

.

ThisProjectConceptidentifieskeypriorityinterventionstobeundertakenbyGoKinlinewith

the Task Force recommendations to restore the Mau forest ecosystem and provide a

sustainable basis for future conservation and management of this vital resource. The

sustainabilityof

the

ecosystem

will

be

secured

by

moving

the

Mau

Forests

Complex

from

a

singleassetsystem,where timberextraction,charcoalandhumansettlementsareseenas

the only real value of the forest, to a multipleasset approach, which recognizes the wide

varietyofvaluesoftheecosystemanddiversifiesrevenuestreamsbycapitalizingonmost,if

not all, of the ecosystem values, thereby maximizing both conservation and economic

returnsontheinvestment.

This diversified approach will result in additional nonmonetary benefits such as: water

sources,biodiversityprotection,improvedrelationsamonglocalcommunitiesandwithother

stakeholders, land appreciation, risk reduction and positive public relations. This approach

will assist in setting and promoting new standards and models for the sustainable

managementof

other

critical

forest

ecosystems.

1Kenya:Vision2030andFirstMediumTermPlan,20082012(www.planning.go.ke)


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I. Introduction1. The Mau Forests Complex2 covers approx. 416,542 ha3. It is the largest closedcanopymontane forestecosystem inEastAfrica,andpriortorecentdeforestationwas larger than

Mt. Kenya and the Aberdares combined. Historically, the Mau was overlooked when the

forest was intact and when land pressure was low. The tourist potential of the Mau has

neverbeen

exploited

despite

its

proximity

to

the

world

famous

wildlife

areas

of

the

Maasai

Mara National Reserve and the adjoining Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. As land

pressure increased, the forest was viewed as an untapped area with high potential

agriculturalvaluewaitingtobeexploited.

2. Twentyyearsago,Kenyasclosedcanopy forestscovered12,400km2,orapproximatelytwopercentofthecountry.Tenyearslaterremotesensingdataindicatedthatcomparedto

globalandAfricanforestcoverof21.4and9.25percentrespectively,Kenyasclosedcanopy

forestcoverstoodatlessthan1.7percent.Todaythisfigureisstillfalling,andthiswillhave

majornegativesocioeconomiceffectsinthecountry.

3. TheMaucomprises22forestblocks4,21ofwhicharegazettedandaremanagedbytheKenya Forest Service (KFS formerly the Forest Department). The exception is the Maasai

MauTrustLandForest (46,278ha,withasouthernboundary17kmnorthofNarokTown)

which is trust land managed by the Narok County Council (NCC). In addition, the Mau

ecosystemisconsideredasthemostimportantofthefivewatertowersinKenya,beingthe

upper catchments of many major rivers5

, which feed, partially or exclusively, the lakes of

Natron, Turkana, Baringo, Naivasha, Nakuru and Victoria. The Mau is arguably of even

greater importance than Mt. Kenya since the water that flows from it, is part of the Lake

Victoria catchment, which in turn provides water to the White Nile. The transboundary

significance of the Complex therefore has to be considered not only in terms of providing

watertoitsneighbourTanzaniabutalsotothewholeNilebasin.

4. TheimportanceoftheMauisrelatedtotheecosystemservicesitprovides,suchasriverflowregulation,floodmitigation,waterstorage,waterpurification,rechargeofgroundwater,

reduced soil erosion and siltation, protection of biodiversity, carbon sequestration, carbon

reservoirandregulationofmicroclimatewhichprovidesfavourableconditionsforoptimum

cropproduction.

5. ThecriticalroleoftheMau isinthewateritprovidestourbancentresandsomeofthemostdenselypopulatedregionsofKenyasupportinglivelihoodsandeconomicdevelopment.

Africa

is

facing

an

unprecedented

water

crisis:

about

25

percent

of

Africas

population

is

livinginwaterstressedareaandthisfigurewillrisedramaticallytoanestimated500million

peopleby20506

.Whilesomeofthiswillbecausedbyclimatechange inaridandsemiarid

lands, the water stress in the Mau area is largely the result of land degradation and

deforestation whose effects are to be felt far beyond the Mau complex. The water

2TheMauForestsComplexisvariouslyknownastheMau,theMauComplex,theMauForest,theMauForest

ComplexandtheMFC.3Thisistheareaincludingthe2001forestexcisions.Theoriginalgazettedareawas452,007ha.

4IncludingTransmara,OlPusimoru,MaasaiMau,EasternMau,MauNarok,SouthWestMau,WesternMau,

Mt.Londiani,Eburu,MoloandSouthMolo.InthenorthernsectionaretheforestsofTinderet,Northern

Tinderet,Timboroa,Nabkoi,KilombeHill,Metkei,MajiMazuri,ChemorogokandLembus.5IncludingtheNzoia,Yala,Nyando,Sondu,Mara,Kerio,Molo,EwasoNgiro,Njoro,Nderit,Makalia,andNaishi

rivers.6ClimateChange2007.ReportontheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange.


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catchmentvaluesandmajorconservationareasdependingupontheMauareshowninMaps

1and2.

6. Withahigh leafarea index,tropicalforestsareableto interceptallthewaterfallingonthe forest canopy and slowly channel the same to the forest floor and eventually to the

ground aquifers. Natural forest reduces the erosive impact of rainfall. Leaf litter prevents

erosion

and

forest

soils

provide

the

sponge

for

the

entrapment

of

water.

It

has

become

clear

inrecentyearsthatthecontinuousprovisionofwater isdirectlyrelatedtotheexistenceof

the natural forest: water towers and montane forests are closely linked but the relation

between the two has not always been fully understood or acknowledged. Once the forest

hasgone,water infiltration isgreatlyreduced andaquifer level lowered causingsprings to

dry, and rivers to become highly seasonal. Increasedrunoffandstorm flow frequency and

amplitude causes soil erosion and downstream flooding. The social impacts are water

shortage,infrastructuraldamage,poverty,illhealth,conflictandregionalinsecurity.

II.NationalVisionandStrategicPlanning7. Atthenationallevel,GoKpublishedasessionalpaperonEnvironmentandDevelopmenta decade ago

7 in which it set out comprehensive policy guidelines towards achieving

sustainable development. It recognized that no strategic approach had been used to

integrateenvironmentalconcernsintothedevelopmentplanningprocessuntiltheadoption

of the National Environmental Action Plan in 1994. This paper specifically addressed the

mountain ecosystems and the biodiversity therein. It stated that the Government would

endeavour to develop a policy on sustainable management of mountain ecosystems, and

establishandstrengthenan institutiontomanagethemandpromote integratedwatershed

developmentprogrammes.

8. In2007,GoKlauncheditsvisionfornationaldevelopmentoverthenext20orsoyears8.Theplan,Vision2030,isimplementedthroughfiveyearrollingplansstartingin20089.Thecurrentfiveyearplansetsoutenvironmentalobjectiveswithaforestfocus:

a) Increasingforest,treecoverandwoodproductionespeciallyatfarmlevel;b) Conserving and rehabilitating the remaining natural forest and woodlands for

environmentalprotectionandbiodiversityconservation;

c) Enhancingparticipatoryforestmanagement;and,d) Ensuringthattheforestrysectormakesacontributiontopovertyreduction.

9. Theplanalsocoverswatercatchmentmanagement, includingtheMau,andrecognizesthatdeforestationhascausedseveredegradationofthemainwatertowers,reducingriver

flowanddisruptingelectricitysupply.

10.The vision for the Mau captures the objectives of Vision 2030 but it is achievable onlyunder certain conditions, which include longterm institutional commitment, political will,

fullcommunity involvement inprotectionandsustainableforestuse,andgoodgovernance

(includingthecessationofthepracticesthatledtotheillegal/irregularlandallocationsinthe

firstplace).

7SessionalPaperNo.6of1999onEnvironmentandDevelopment.

8Vision2030,MinistryofPlanningandNationalDevelopment

9FirstMediumTermPlan20082012


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III.Mauforests:thepotential11.The Mau Forests Complex supports key economic sectors in Rift Valley and westernKenya, including energy, tourism, agriculture and water supply. The Mau Complex is

particularlyimportantfortwoofthethreelargestforeigncurrencyearners:teaandtourism.

Themarketvalueofgoodsandservicesgeneratedannually in thetea,tourismandenergy

sectors,to

which

the

Mau

has

contributed,

is

in

excess

of

Kshs

20

billion.

This

figure

does

not

includethevitalsocioeconomiccontributionofruralandurban10

watersupplyfromsprings,

wells,boreholesandrivers,aswellasthesupporttorural livelihoods(agriculture,livestock

production). This figure also does not reflect potential economic development in the

catchmentsoftheMau,inparticulartheenergysector.

12.The estimated potential hydropower generation in the Mau Complex catchments isapprox.535MW,representing41percentofthecurrenttotalinstalledelectricitygeneration

capacity in Kenya. In addition, the growing geothermal potential in the area is directly

dependentongroundwater.Ifthewatertabledeclines,thegeothermalpotentialdiminishes

correspondingly.Many

of

the

high

potential

geothermal

sites

are

around

the

Mau.

IV.Mauforests:anationalcrisisinthemaking13.Thepace and severity ofdestructionand degradationofKenyas forestshas generatedincreasingpublicityandconcernoverthepasttwodecades.Thecauseofthisdestruction is

change of land use from forest to agriculture, and change in ownership from public to

private. During the past two decades, there has been extensive encroachment as well as

irregularforest

land

allocation,

exacerbating

an

already

serious

situation.

14.TheMauComplexisaparticularlydegradedcatchmentareainKenya.Despiteitscriticalroleinsustainingcurrenteconomicdevelopment,theMauhasbeenaffectedbywidespread

illplanned settlements, encroachments and illegal extraction of forest resources.

Degazettement of forest reserves (excisions) and continuous widespread encroachments

haveledtothedestructionofover107,000haoverthelasttwodecades,representingover

25percentoftheMau.

15.Out of the approx. 416,542 ha of the protected forests, 61,586.5 ha were excised in2001

11.Theexcisedareasarecriticaluppercatchmentsareasfortheriversandlakesthatare

fedby

the

Mau.

The

excised

areas

included

both

the

bamboo

forests

with

high

catchment

valuesandbiodiversityrichareas,aswellaspartsofthesummitoftheMauescarpment.The

excisions are starting to impact negatively on major natural assets and development

investments, including Lake Nakuru National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Sondu

Miriu Hydropower Scheme (60MW), geothermal plants near Naivasha, small hydropower

plantsintheKerichoteaestates(4MW)andtheteagrowingareasinKerichoHighlands.

10InparticulartheurbancentresofBomet,EgertonUniversity,Elburgon,EldamaRavine,Kericho,Molo,

Nakuru,Naivasha,Narok,andNjoro11

Including54%(35,301 ha)oftheEasternMau,27%(22,797ha)ofSouthWestMauand100%(902ha)of

MoloForestReserve


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16.The impact of the excisions has not been assessed since no environmental impactassessment(EIA)wascarriedoutdespitetherequirementsforsuchEIAsinaccordancewith

the1999EnvironmentManagementCoordinationAct.

17.Inadditiontotheexcisions,approx.41,122hahavebeenencroachedbysettlements intheMau,inparticularinMaasaiMautrustlandforest,OlPusimoruForestReserveandSouth

WestMauForestReserve.Illegalloggingandcharcoalproductionarerampantinandaround

theencroached

areas.

18.Theongoingdestructionofavitalnaturalandnationally importantasset isamatterofconcerntoGoK.Theincreasingenvironmentalandeconomicproblems,ifnotreversed,may

resultinbreakdownoflawandorder,ethnicconflictsandthreatstointernalsecurity.

19.Someofthegravestimpactsarerelatedtowater:a) AmainaquiferinNakuruareahasloweredby100metresin10years;b) The Sondu River flow is more irregular making it impossible for SonduMiriu

hydropowerplanttorunnearfullcapacityinthedryseasons;

c) ThefourperennialriversfeedingtheLakeNakuruarenowseasonal;d) TheMaraRiver level inthedryseason isvery low,threateningtheriverdependant

wildlifeintheMaasaiMaraandtheSerengetiecosystems;and,

e) Manystreams intheMauForestsComplexhavetheirflowschangedsignificantlyorhavedriedup. Mostofthechangeshaveoccurredaroundtheyears19962001.For

example, in Njoro area, 13 of the 32 streams identified by the communities have

dried up completely signaling a major threat to the rivers they fed. Twentyseven

otherwatersourcesorstreamshavealsodriedupcompletely inElburgon,Kuresoi,

Keringet,KiptagichandOlPusimoruareas.

20.These issues have been compounded by the fact that montane forests have beenmanaged with no apparent scientific principles under the leadership of the former Forest

Department, now the Kenya Forest Service. Basic tenets of forest ecosystem watershed

management have not been observed and the current management of montane forests is

thereforenotconsistentwiththerealizationthattheseforestsaremajorwatertowers.

21.Other consequences of degradation have been the closure of industries, loss ofemployment,reducedagriculturalproduction,foodinsecurity,lossoflivelihoodsandlossof

revenue to the Treasury due to lower taxation base and poor economic performance. In

addition,theGovernmentisexpendingmoreresourcesinlawenforcementactivities.


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Map1:MauComplexforests:criticalwatercatchments

9


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Map2:MauComplexforests:criticalwatercatchmentstomajorconservationareas

10


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V.GOKsresponsetoaddressthecrisis22.In response to increasing concerns to the problems of the Mau forest, a consultativemeeting was organized by GoK in May 2008. Stakeholders included the Prime Minister,

Ministersfor

Forestry

and

Wildlife,

Water

and

Irrigation,

and

Lands,

as

well

as

Permanent

Secretaries, relevant heads of Departments, and Members of Parliament from the Mau

Complex area. This was followed by several flights over the Mau Forests Complex by the

Prime Minister and relevant Cabinet Ministers, as well as other Government officials and

representativesfromdevelopmentpartners.

23.InlightofthewiderangeofissuesandstakesintheMauForestsComplex,GoKorganizedamultistakeholderconsultativeworkshopontheconservationoftheMauForestsComplex

on 15 July 2008. The Workshop was attended by the Prime Minister and ten Cabinet

Ministers12

as well as over 300 people representing all major interest groups, including

communities and private sector. The workshop endorsed the establishment of a multi

stakeholdertaskforce.

24. Consequently,GoKappointedamultistakeholderTaskForceontheConservationoftheMauForestsComplexon31July2008. TheTermsofReference fortheTaskForcewereto

formulaterecommendationstotheGoKon:

a) An effective management structure to stop any further degradation in the MauForestsComplex;

b) Providingfortherelocationofthepeoplecurrentlyresidingintheforests;c) TherestorationofalldegradedforestsandcriticalwatercatchmentareasintheMau

Forests

Complex;

and,

d) Mobilizing resources to implement the above mentioned objectives and secure thesustainabilityoftheentireecosystem.

25.TheTaskForceformedfourcommitteestoaddressthekeyissues:a) EnforcementandOutreach;b) Boundaries;c) LandOwnershipandResettlementMatters;andd) Restoration,LivelihoodsandResourceMobilization.

26.TheTaskForceconcludeditsworkinMarch2009.ItsreportwasendorsedbyCabineton30July2009.

27.GoK iscommittedtorestoreandmaintainenvironmental,socialandeconomicstability.The establishment of the Task Force followed the realization by GoK that the continued

destructionofthe largestwatertower inKenyawillhavecatastrophicsocial,economicand

environmental effects. Environmental stability and secured provision of ecological services

are essential to attaining sustainable development in Kenya and are preconditions to

achievingthegoalsof Vision2030.UNEP,TheWorldBank,theAfricanDevelopmentBank

(AfDB), the FAO, and other development partners have all agreed with the Governments

positionthattheMauforestrestorationinitiativeisurgent.

12IncludingMinistersforForestryandWildlife,EnvironmentandMineralResources,RegionalDevelopment

Authorities,LocalGovernment,AgricultureandEnergy.


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VI.KeyinterventionsfortherestorationoftheMau28.The restoration programme for the Mau is a priority for GoK. The Governmentacknowledges that this is a challenging task that will require substantial resources and

politicalwilltosecureitseffectiveimplementation.Therestorationprocesswillrequireshort

and medium term interventions. Longerterm interventions will also be needed, although

theyare

not

covered

in

this

project

concept.

29.Itmustbenotedthatanyspecificprojectinterventionsneedtobecomplementarytoongoing projects such as the World Bank funded Natural Resource Management project and

the NORAD and USAID funded Mara River Basin Management Initiative (MRBMI), two of

whosegoalsaretoimprovewaterquality/quantityandtoconservebiodiversityintheMara

River basin. By supporting improved forest management in the headwaters of the Mara

(South West Mau, Eastern Mau, Ol Pusimoru forest reserves and Maasai Mau trust land

forest) and by improving on farm soil and water conservation along the tributaries in the

upperMaraRiverbasin,theMaurestorationprojectwillcontributetotheMRBMI.

Immediateinterventions

30.Buildingupontheprojectproposal13 developedbytheMinistryofForestryandWildlife(MFW) for the Mau Forest restoration in November 2008, seven clusters of interventions

havebeenidentifiedfortheshortterm.

Effectiveinstitutionalframework

31.A

study

of

the

legal

and

institutional

arrangement

for

the

management

of

the

forest

was

commissioned by the Task Force14

with support from USAID. Based on the Task Force

recommendations, the Government has established an Interim Coordinating Secretariat

withintheOfficeofthePrimeMinistertocoordinatetheimplementationoftheGovernment

recommendationsontherehabilitationandconservationoftheMauForestsComplex.

32.In the longerterm, a Mau Forests Complex Authority will be established to coordinateandoverseethemanagementoftheMauForestsComplex.TheAuthoritywillbeguidedbya

Board of Directors. The Board should comprise representatives of main stakeholders,

includingtheeconomicsectorsthataremostdependentonthegoodsandservicesprovided

by the Mau Forests Complex such as water, energy, tourism and wildlife, agriculture and

forestry.

33.ThereformprocessofKenyaForestServicehasbeenslow. In linewiththeTaskForcerecommendations, theGovernmentneeds to implementmanagementchanges tosecurea

successfulreformprocessfromForestDepartmenttoKenyaForestService.

13ProjectproposalfortheMauforestrestoration,MinistryofForestryandWildlife,November2008

14InstitutionalFrameworkforSustainableConservationandManagementoftheMauForestComplex,ESF

Consultants,January2009.


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StrategicManagementPlanforMauForestsComplex

34.The strategic management plan will integrate the ecological requirements for meetingtheneedofexistingstrategicplans,includingfromdevelopmentauthoritiesandVision2030.

ItwillalsorequireacompleteassessmentofthecurrentstatusoftheMauecosystem.

35.Already,

much

data

have

been

collected.

Indeed,

in

order

to

carry

out

its

work,

the

Task

Forcehascollateddataon:

a) Rainfall(19901997);b) Rainfalldistributionmap(KenyaMeteorologicalDept.);c) Topographicmaps1/50,000(SoK);d) Rivers1/50,000(SoK);e) Contourlines1/50,000(SoK);f) DigitalElevationModel(UNEP);g) Slopes(UNEP);h) Soilmap(SSoK);i) Soil

erodibility

map

(NAL

KARI);

j) Geology(Mines/GeologyDept);k) Landsatsatelliteimages(KFWG,UNEP)for1973,1986,1990,1995,2000,2003,2005,

2007;and,

l) 1800aerialphotographs(UNEP,KFWG,DRSRS).36.In addition, assessment studies were commissioned with support from USAID. Theseinclude assessments on the critical catchment areas

15 and on biodiversity hotspots

16. The

latterdocumentcollatesthecurrentinformationonvegetationandfaunaandrecommends

conservationinterventionsfortheMau.

37.Updated maps of the following are a prerequisite for the development of a strategicmanagementaswellasforestspecificmanagementplans:

a) Protectednaturalforests;b) Naturalforestsoutsidethegazettedareas;c) Plantationforests;d) Openareas;e) Settlementschemes;f) Adjudicatedsections;g) Degradedsites;h) Biodiversityandwatercatchmenthotspots;i) Resources;and,j) Landuseandzonation.

Boundarysurveysandissuanceoftitledeedsforforestblocks

38.TheSurveyofKenyaistocarryoutthesurveyandthedemarcationonthegroundofthelegal boundaries as identified by the Task Force. Boundary marking will include

monumentssuchasconcretebeacons thatareclearlyvisible fromoneto theother,and

15AssessmentoftheCriticalWaterCatchmentAreasinthe2001MauForestsComplex

Excision,MoiUniversity,March2009.16

AssessmentofVegetationCoverandBiologicalDiversityHotspotsintheMauForestsComplex.

NationalMuseumsofKenya,March2009.


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14

followpreciselythegazettedboundary.Thetotalareatobesurveyedincludesthe22forest

blocks that form the Mau Forests Complex. At an average cost of between Kshs 2 and 6

millionperblock,thebudgetforthesurveysandtheissuanceofatitledeedforeachofthe

blocksisKshs73million(Annex1).

Monitoringandenforcement

39.Routine monitoring is a prerequisite to restoration to prevent new encroachment,charcoalburningortreefelling.

40.Oncethesurveysarecompleted,theforestboundarieswillbesecuredtopreventfurtherforestandcatchmentdegradation.Fencingmayberequiredforbiologicalhotspotsorwhere

significant human wildlife conflicts occur. Only after securing the boundaries can the

activitiesrequiredforsecuringtheintegrityoftheMaubeundertaken,suchasrestorationof

degradedareas.

Relocationand

resettlement

41.ThereisconsensuswithintheGovernmentthatallpeoplelivingintheprotectedforestsand many people now living in what was formerly forest will have to be relocated or

resettled17

. In the event of resettlement, GoK will provide alternative land, funds for the

development of the land and livelihoods. In the process of relocating or resettling people,

GoKwilltakeintoconsiderationthevulnerabilityofthepeople.

42.The Task Force has also commissioned the development of a Resettlement FrameworkPolicy for the Mau Forests Complex. The finalization of the draft document will be

coordinatedbytheInterimCoordinatingSecretariat.

43.Anestimated2,500householdsareencroachingintheprotectedforestareasoftheMauForestsComplex,mainly inSouthWesternMau (1,683),OlPusimoru (300500)andMaasai

Mau (211). They haveno documentation to support their occupation of the land and the

Government never expressed an intention to set aside those protected forest areas for

settlement.

44.IntheMaasaiMauTrustLand,anestimated2,147householdsresiding insidetheTrustLandForest,duetoillegalextensionofgroupranchesbeyondtheiradjudicatedboundaries,

willberelocated.Resettlementorcompensationwillbedealtwithonacasetocasebasis.

45.In the 61,586.5 ha of forest land excised in 2001, families living in the most criticalcatchmentareaswillhavetoberelocatedfromtheirplotsandresettledorcompensatedas

appropriate.

46.Itmustbenotedthatmanyofthelandownershaveirregulartitledeeds18.Forexample,titledeedswereissuedwhenthelandswasstillgazettedasforestreserveorindisregardofa

HighCourtorderrestrainingtheGovernmentfrommovingaheadwiththeexcisionprocess.

17Relocationisremovingpeoplefromanarea.TheGovernmentwillassistwithtransportandlivelihood

support. Compensationwillbeprovidedonacasetocasebasis.ResettlementisaGovernmentsupported

schemewheretheGovernmentprovidesalternativelandforthedispossessed,alongwithlivelihoodsupport.18

Itisestimatedthat99.3percentoftitledeedsissuedinthe2001excisionsareirregular.


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15

Inalargenumberofcases,theRegistryIndexMapsandthePreliminaryIndexDiagramsare

erroneous.

Livelihoodsupportanddevelopment

47.Immediate livelihood support will be required for the families relocated from the MauForests

Complex.

This

issue

needs

to

be

clearly

considered,

in

both

scale

and

intent.

These

needs includewater, food,shelterandenergy. All these elementscouldbeprovidedwith

someassistance fromGovernmentandNGOs.Already,organizations likeWorldVisionand

WWFaredevelopingwaterprojectsincludingroofcatchment,watertanks,springprotection

and boreholes and this help could be extended to communities closer to the forest

boundaries.Suchsupportwillinmanycaseslessentheresentmentfeltbythoseaggrievedby

theirrelocation.

48.LivelihoodandruraldevelopmentwillbeacriticalcomponentoftherehabilitationoftheMau forest ecosystem. New and improved agricultural practices that are compatible with

water

resources

conservation

need

to

be

promoted.

Economic

incentives,

including

the

establishment of markets will be required. Social infrastructure needs to be further

developed.

49.Increasedfarmproductionandlivelihoodarelikelyto lessenthepressureontheforest,andcontributetofoodsecurity.Theagriculturalandlivestockextensionservicesareweakin

theareaandneedtobestrengthened.

50.Evenwiththe2001excisionsreversedandthedeforestedlandreturnedtoGovernment,thepressureontheforestwillnotgoaway.Thehighdependencyonfirewoodandcharcoal,

whichprovides8090percentofhouseholdofenergyinruralareasmeansthatfuelwoodwill

continuetobeindemand.ThereforeanyattempttorestoretheMaumustbeaccompanied

byeffortstomeetwooddemandofcommunities livingnearthe forest. Intensiveon farm

plantingofexoticandagroforestry treescanalleviate thepressureon thenatural forests.

TheurgentneedtoincreasetreeplantingonfarmisalreadystressedinVision2030. Other

onfarmlivelihoodscouldbepromoted,suchascommercialbambooplantations.

Publicawarenessandcommunitysensitization

51.Oneof thecurrentconstraints to restorationof theMau Forest Complex is the limitedand conflicting information provided to local communities. There is therefore a need to

create awareness and to engage in environmental education for the local communities tohighlight the need to conserve the Mau and to share with them the intentions of GoK.

CommunitieshavetobesensitisedtothefactthattheecologicalvalueoftheMauisgreater

thanthevalueofthewoodproductstoooftenharvested.

Mediumterminterventions

Forestspecificmanagementplans

52.Once relocation and resettlement has been completed, the management plan for theMaumustaddressnotonlyforestrestorationandcriticalcatchments,butalsotheneedsof

thelocalcommunities livingaroundtheforest.Restorationoftheforestisthefirstmedium


16/19

16

term action and it must be done in consultation with local communities, who will benefit

bothdirectly (employmentopportunities) from therestoration process itself and indirectly

(ecosystemservicesincludingwaterprovision)fromtherestoredecosystem.Astudywillalso

be commissioned to assess sustainable livelihood options in the forest (with particular

emphasisonemploymentopportunities,suchasmonitoringusingcommunityforestguards)

and natural resourcebased incomegenerating activities, such as seed collection. This will

includeraising

most

of

the

required

seedlings

for

rehabilitation,

the

balance

being

produced

throughinstitutionalnurseries.Budgetandtechnicalsupporttoprivateandinstitutionaltree

nurserieswillbenecessary.

53.Theteabufferzones(NyayoTeaZone)thatwereestablishedinsomeforestblocksintheMauwillbereassessedintermsofforestconservationandproduction.

Restoration/replantingofdegradedsites

54.RestorationmeansrestoringasfaraspossibletheecosystemservicesoftheMauForestsComplex.

This

is

a

long

term

goal

but

needs

to

be

initiated

as

a

medium

term

action

with

indigenoustreeplantinginthecriticalcatchmentareas(includingriverbankprotectioninside

and outside the forest areas). Activities in the mediumterm will concentrate on tree

planting in the formerly forested areas. The expected financing will be from Government

resourceswithsupportfromdevelopmentpartners.ThebudgetisprovidedinAnnexI.

55.Survival of the indigenous seedlings can be 8090 percent. On a large scheme, wherecommunitiesmanagethetreenurseries,thesustainabilityofthetreenurseriesisempirically

low.However, ifcommunitiesarerewardedfinancially,basedontreesurvival(e.g.number

oftreesalivefollowingannualphysicalaudits)throughamechanismsuchasCarbonCredits,

then survival rate can go up considerably. In community tree planting schemes, small

amountscanbepaidannuallyoneverytreealivebutthisrequiresaccurateenvironmental

auditing.

Longertermrestoration

56.ThelongtermobjectiveistherestorationoftheecologicalfunctionsandservicesoftheMau Forests Complex. It is clear that the restoration of ecological functions will not be

achievedinthefirstfewyears.

57.OneofthemajorfindingsoftheTaskForce isthattheentireMauForestsComplex isacriticalcatchmentarea. Assuchthemanagementofalllands,includingagriculturallandand

settlements within the large Mau Forests Complex ecosystem must be revised to be

consistentwiththewaterresourcesconservationrequirements.

58.In the protected forest areas, planting 100,000 ha is unlikely to be achieved in themedium term. Restoration of a natural forest also is likely to take 30 years, and possibly

considerably longer on degraded land where the fertility is low and topsoil has been

removed.

59.Biodiversity restoration will also be achieved in the longer term through naturalregeneration and replanting of indigenous trees. GoK, as a party to the Convention on


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17

Biological Diversity (CBD), has responsibility towards the conservation of the biological

diversityintheMauForestsComplex.

60.Reduced emissions from deforestation and landdegradation (REDD)willalsobea longtermobjective. AREDDprojectshouldattempttoattractfundsforcarbonsequestration.In

ordertoqualifyforREDD,abaselinestudyisnecessaryimmediately.Thiscanbefollowedby

privatesector

concessions.

61.Thelongtermvisionthereforeentailstherestorationofatleast100,000haofmontaneclosedcanopyforestplusfullprotectionoftheforestsfromexcisionsanddegradation.

62.Therole and potentialofecotourismshouldbe explored,particularly in relation to theforeststhatarestillwellpreserved.ThesouthernpartoftheMauForestsComplexhasthe

potential to be part of the Maasai Mara tourism circuit once an appropriate management

frameworkisinplace.

63.

Long

term

forestry

practices

to

be

explored

include:

a) Sustainable nontimber forestproducts (NTFP)production within the forest (honey,medicinalproducts);

b) Sustainablehardwoodrotation(e.g.Vitexkeniensis,Prunusafricana,Oleacapensisona2550yearrotation);and,

c) Sustainablebambooproductionandprocessing.64.Thepositiveimpactsexpectedfromthelongterminterventionsinclude:

a) RestorationoftheMauwatertower;b) Restorationofsprings,perennialriverflow,wetlandsandaquiferrecharge;c) Sustainable socioeconomic development in the Mau outside the forest and in the

downstreamareas;

d) Sustainable socioeconomic activities within the forest through ecotourism, nontimberforestproductextraction,andsustainablehardwoodorbambooenterprises;

e) Continuousenergysupplyfromhydroelectricandgeothermalsources;f) Reductionofdownstreamfloodingevents;g) Carbonsequestrationintheorderof20milliontons19overa2530yearperiodfrom

natural forest regeneration/ tree planting, with concomitant benefits to reversal of

climatechange,suchasreductioninemissionsfromdeforestation;and,

h) Restoredmicroclimate,particularlyfortheteaindustry.Privatesectorinvestment

65.Therearenumerousopportunitiesforprivatesectorinvestmentandpublicprivatesectorpartnership.Thereisalreadyactiveinvolvementoftheteacompaniesinreforestationandin

the protection of existing forests. The tea companies have a vested interest in forest

protectionbecausethereisenoughempiricalevidencetoshowthatlocaldeforestationhas

negatively affected the microclimate. In addition, several companies rely on mini

hydropower and actually offload power surplus into the national grid. This power supply

dependsuponperennialflowintherivers.

19Basedonan325tCha

1sequestratedfrommontaneforestovera25yearperiod(averagefigurefrom

numeroussources).Atmaturity,aforestthenbecomescarbonneutral.


18/19

18

66.There is a need to engage private sector to mobilize resources and even be the mainplayer and contractor on private forest investments including management of KFS

plantations.

67.Inlesscriticalareas,KFScouldpermitprivateinvestmentinexoticplantationforestsbutin general the emphasis should be on indigenous afforestation with sustainable selective

fellingover

the

very

long

term

or

possibly

the

introduction

of

native

hardwood

plantations,

whichwouldbeclearfelledandreplantedonaregularcycle.Severalnativespeciescouldbe

considered, inparticularMeruOak,ElgonOlive,Camphor,HageniaandRedStinkwood.All

thesearevaluabletimberspecies.

68.Restoration of the bamboo cover may allow private investment in sustainable bambooproduction using either the native bamboo (Yuschania alpina) or higheryielding exotic

species. Bamboo is highly effective in soil and water conservation and has everincreasing

usesinthemanufactureofbuildingmaterial,charcoal,alternativefuel,clothingandfabrics.

VII.Conclusions69.TheecosystemgoodsandservicesintheMauarethreatenedmorethaneverbyhumanactivity.BoththeGovernmentandmoreparticularlythose livingwithintheMauecosystemarenowpaying

the price for over 30 years of neglect. Neither the remaining indigenous forests nor the forest

plantations can sustain the demand for charcoal and timber. This calls for different approaches,

includingtremendousincreaseintreeplantingonfarms.

70.Success stories with restoration following relocation exist in Kenya. There have been recentsuccesses in both the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare forests. The restoration of the Mau is physically

feasibleeven

if

it

is

socially

and

politically

complex,

and

it

is

in

the

national

interest

that

action

be

taken immediately to avoid irreversible damage to a vital ecosystem. The initiative and long term

commitmentsmustcomefromGoKandthepeople.Forthosealreadylivingintheforest,theymust

be made aware of the environmental and socioeconomic impacts and that relocation and re

settlementistotheirowninterestaswellastheinterestofthenation.


19/19

ANNEXI

Indicativebudgetforimmediateandmediumterminterventions

Activity Year1 USD Year2 USD Year3 USD TOTAL

EstablishaMauComplexAuthority 40,000 97,000 137,000

Fastrack

KFS

reforms

to

start

sustainable

forest

management

in

the

Mau

(*) 2,000,000 2,000,000 1,700,000 5,700,000 ContractthemanagementofMaasaiMautrustlandforest 7,000 7,000

DevelopastrategicmanagementplanfortheMauForestsComplex 80,000 80,000

Developandimplementanoutreachprogrammetosensitizeandempower

communitiestowardsforestconservation

100,000 150,000 150,000 400,000

Surveyandissuetitledeedsforthe22blocksoftheMauForestsComplex 1,000,000 1,000,000

Consolidateboundarydataandplansforallforestreservesandestablish

mechanismsforresolvingfutureforestlandissues

300,000 400,000 700,000

UpscaletheJointEnforcementUnit 7,000,000 7,000,000 7,000,000 21,000,000

Set

up

the

required

infrastructure

for

monitoring

and

enforcement 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 6,000,000

Prepareforrelocation,resettlementandrepossession, includingestablishmentof

dedicatedoffices,landsurveyandvaluation,andfinalizearesettlement framework

policyfortheMau

900,000 900,000

RelocatesquattersandsettlersfromtheMauForestsComplex 1,450,000 1,450,000

Purchaseanddeveloplandforresettlement andcompensatebonafidesettlers (**)

Promotecommunityforestassociations 150,000 200,000 200,000 550,000

Supportonfarmtreeplantingandextensionservices,includingtheestablishment

ofinstitutionalandprivatetreenurseries

1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 3,000,000

Identifyandpromotealternativelivelihoods 200,000 900,000 900,000 2,000,000

Promoteonfarmenergyconservation practices 150,000 100,000 100,000 350,000

Carryoutresourceinventories,includingmappingofdegradedareasand

develop/reviewforestspecificmanagementplans

314,000 600,000 600,000 1,514,000

Replacewronglysitedforestplantationsandissueconcessionsfortheremaining

commercialforestplantations

41,000 700,000 700,000 1,441,000

Restoreatleast85,000hectaresofdegradedwatercatchmentareas,including

40,000hectaresthroughconcessioning

10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 30,000,000

Surveyandregazettecriticalwatercatchmentsoutsideforests 144,000 144,000

Establishsystemstomonitorforestandwaterresourcesandundertakecarbon

baseline

2,000,000 1,589,000 3,589,000

Developprojectproposalsandconvenemeetingswithdevelopmentpartners 40,000 20,000 20,000 80,000

Develop

mechanisms

to

secure

financial

sustainability 85,000 85,000

Administration, coordination,monitoringandevaluationofprojects 500,000 500,000 500,000 1,500,000

TOTAL 30,154,000 27,059,000 24,277,000 81,490,000

(*)Resourcesforthecompletionof theKFSreformarecrucialbuttheyhavenotbeenfactoredinthisbudget,exceptfortheMau.

(**)Thebudgetrequiredfortheresettlement/compensationprogrammewillbedeterminedoncethepreparationworkforrelocation,

resettlement andrepossession iscompletedandtheresettlementframeworkpolicyfortheMauisfinalized.

RelocationandResettlement

StrategicManagementPlanfortheMauForestsComplex

PublicAwarenessandCommunitySensitization

Restoration/RehabilitationofDegradedAreas

ResourceMobilization

ProjectManagement

EffectiveInstitutionalArrangements

BoundarySurveyandIssuanceofTitleDeeds

MonitoringandEnforcement

LivelihoodSupportandDevelopment

mau forest complex concept paper

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