In a determined effort to increase Kenya’s tree cover to 30% by 2032, the government has banned livestock grazing in all public forests.
Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya highlighted the rise of illegal grazing, which undermines the national goal of planting 15 billion trees.
On Friday, CS Tuya emphasized the importance of sustainable forest management.
The ministry will only engage with forest-adjacent communities that are members of registered Community Forest Associations (CFAs). These engagements will follow negotiated participatory forest management plans and agreements as stipulated by law.
“To ensure that only sustainable participatory forest management activities are undertaken in our gazetted forests, the public is notified that the Chief Conservator of Forests is hereby directed to enforce established rules and regulations on grazing and grass harvesting in public forests,” Tuya stated.
The ministry, in collaboration with partners, is deploying technology to enhance forest surveillance, hasten the delineation of boundaries, and expand the fencing programme to cover all gazetted public forests. This initiative aims to protect these areas from unauthorized activities and ensure sustainable management practices.
The Chief Conservator of Forests has been directed to strictly implement the existing rules and regulations regarding grazing and grass harvesting.
This follows a statement released four days ago by the Kenya Forest Service outlining grazing guidelines in public forests.
