Green Belt Movement hands over 6 Hectares of restored Mau Forest to KFS

Nairobi, Kenya - The Green Belt Movement (GBM) has transferred six hectares of restored forest land in Dundori Forest to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), underscoring the importance of community involvement in Kenya's goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. GBM's Acting Executive Director, Joshua Nzola, emphasized the critical role of local communities in forest restoration, stating that their livelihoods are directly tied to the health of these ecosystems.

During the handover ceremony at Dundori Comprehensive School in Bahati, Nakuru County, Nzola highlighted that meaningful community participation fosters ownership and commitment to restored forests. "Forests are restored by people as much as they are restored by trees," he remarked.

This handover marks a significant milestone in Phase II of the Mau Restoration Project, supported by the French Development Agency (AFD). GBM has, through this initiative, rehabilitated over 400 hectares of degraded forest land in Dundori, North Nandi, and Tinderet, all part of the Mau Forest Complex. The complex, spanning five counties, is a major water tower and a vital source for 12 rivers, including the Mara.

Nzola noted that the project has created livelihood opportunities for more than 1,000 households around the forest, enhancing water catchment protection, soil conservation, biodiversity, and climate resilience. He described the handover as proof of the achievements that can be realized through collaboration among government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and local communities.

"The handover signifies a significant step in the restoration of the Mau Watershed, demonstrating what can be accomplished when government institutions, development partners, civil societies, and communities work together to restore Kenya's forests," Nzola said.

GBM focuses on the survival and management of trees beyond planting. Under the Mau Restoration Project, the organization works with local Community Forest Associations (CFAs) to nurture indigenous trees until they reach three meters in height before transferring them to KFS. This approach aims to boost tree survival and ensure sustained care for restored forest areas.

Nzola urged the government and stakeholders to strengthen community participation and empower residents to become long-term custodians of restored landscapes. He called for a shift from focusing solely on the number of trees planted to growing and protecting them, a strategy aligning with President William Ruto's emphasis on sustainable tree-growing and conservation.

France pledged continued support for forest conservation, with Ambassador Wadid Benaabou recognizing the vital role of women in the Mau Forest Restoration Project. He highlighted that tree-growing is essential for preserving ecosystems, improving food and water security, enhancing resilience, and creating income-generating opportunities for local communities.

Benaabou pledged France's ongoing support to the Kenyan government, civil society organizations, and community-led efforts to enhance biodiversity conservation. The Mau Restoration Project is part of broader initiatives to rehabilitate degraded forest landscapes, protect critical water catchments, and strengthen the livelihoods of communities dependent on forest resources.

The transfer of these six hectares in Dundori symbolizes the transfer of a rehabilitated portion of the forest to KFS, which is responsible for its management and protection.