Kenya Forest Service explains exotic tree harvesting in Karura, Thogoto forests
According to KFS, the move is part of a planned operation aimed at maintaining the forests' ecological health and promoting sustainable management.
The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has clarified its decision to harvest certain exotic tree species in Karura and Thogoto forests, following concerns raised online about potential illegal logging activities.
According to KFS, the move is part of a planned operation aimed at maintaining the forests' ecological health and promoting sustainable management.
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KFS on Tuesday announced that it is currently harvesting the trees in an area of 6.3 hectares within Karura Forest.
The harvested trees, mostly exotic species, are being cut down for use as wood fuel and fencing posts.
The operation is in line with KFS's felling plan for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The authority reassured the public that the process is fully authorised and transparent.
To further support conservation efforts, KFS confirmed that tree replanting will take place during the long rainy season between March and May.
Indigenous tree species
The focus of replanting will be on indigenous tree species, in line with the management plan for Karura Forest, which aims to gradually convert exotic plantations into natural forests.
The service emphasised that the management plan for Karura Forest is a public document available for anyone who wishes to view it.
To ensure the public is well-informed, banners have been placed at strategic points around Karura Forest, including the main entrance, clearly indicating the ongoing harvesting activities.
KFS said the same harvesting process is taking place in Thogoto Forest, located in Kiambu County. Harvesting in the forest covers a much larger area of 109.50 hectares.
Depending on the age and health of the plantations, some areas will be left to regenerate naturally through coppicing while others will be replanted as part of the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS).
Both Karura and Thogoto forests operate under specific plantation management plans, which guide their establishment, care, and harvesting.
KFS further clarified that the plantations being harvested are specifically designed for timber production to meet domestic market demands, which distinguishes them from indigenous forests that are conserved for their ecological value.
The service noted that the harvesting of forest plantations is an ongoing process happening in various counties across Kenya as part of broader forest management strategies aimed at sustainability and ecological balance.
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