The Kenya Forest Service has clarified that the logging ban has only been lifted for plantation forests. Trees in original gazetted forests can still not be logged.
Unfortunately the lifting of the ban has been misinterpreted to allow anyone to cut any tree in any forest. However this week the KFS clarified that the ban has only been lifted for pine, cypress and eucalyptus in plantation forests which reach maturity in 30 years or less.
KFS will restrict harvesting in forest plantations to 5,000 ha per year and automate harvesting licences through County Forest Conservators.
Definitely it is right to harvest plantation trees that have reached maturity and are starting to rot. But the KFS needs to ensure that no logging takes place without a licence. This is an issue of enforcement.
But there is also an issue of communication. The KFS has not done enough outreach to ensure that everyone understands what trees can now be logged.
The KFS should undertake a large scale advertising campaign on radio, TV and print to explain to the public that they still need a licence to cut down trees and that only plantation trees can be harvested.
Quote of the day: “Have I not destroyed my enemy when I have made him into my friend?”
Alpha Condé
The former Guinean President survived an assassination attempt on July 19, 2011
