Title:
SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF DRYLAND FOREST AND THEIR
BIODIVERSITY, A CASE OF KIJEGE FOREST, THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, KENYA |
Abstract:
Community involvement is central in management and conservation of forests. Adjacent
communities depend on these forests for livelihood and cultural values. Dryland forests are
among the vital ecosystems in the environment and they face degradation due to undervaluation
by surrounding communities even though they supply a range of important resources. This study
aimed at determining sustainable approaches for community involvement in management and
conservation of Kijege forest and its biodiversity. Specifically, the study determined the
importance and values of Kijege forest to community, the role of community involvement in
management, and sustainable approaches for community involvement in conservation and
management of Kijege forests and its biodiversity. Interviews were conducted with the KFS
officials, village elders, local community and other relevant leaders. The results revealed that,
although 90% of the respondents depended on the forest for their livelihoods, especially for
supply of wood fuel, and pasture during dry seasons, only 6.7% have ever, or are being involved
in management of the forest. From the findings, it is clear that the level of involvement of
community members is very low, hence the study outlines three key recommendations to
improve community involvement including: formation of Community Forest Association,
capacity building of the community members, and formulation of a Forest management plan to
foresee the sustainable involvement of the formed CFAs for better conservation and management
of Kijege Forest and its biodiversity.
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