By Samali Letai
The majority of the
population in Mukogodo area of Laikipia heavily relies on wood fuel as the household
source of energy. This over dependency is a threat to the forest. Fossil based
fuels are expensive and not environmentally friendly. Therefore, impacts on the
environment and natural resources need to be closely monitored.
Mukogodo Forest ecosystem
is well endowed with a rich variety of resources. Located in Laikipia North and
sitting on a total land area of 280 square kilometres, the forest is famous for
impressive biological diversity, socioeconomic and cultural significance.
It is a vital water
catchment area, has high potential for tourism and recreational facilities and supports
livelihoods of the adjacent communities through fuel wood, fodder for
livestock, honey and herbs, and serves as an important resource for scientific
research.
Mukogodo Forest ecosystem
constitutes an important reservoir for biodiversity. Despite these attributes,
the forest has faced threats over the last two decades from a range of
human-related activities. These activities include illegal harvesting of
timber, charcoal burning, and improper grazing.
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| A section of Ilmamusi Mukogodo Forest |
Unsustainable tree
harvesting leads to the destruction of the forest’s capacity to absorb carbon
dioxide. Other factors include: poverty, inappropriate/ineffective government
policies, erosion of traditional values and ignorance.
The impact of forest
destruction is evident through drying up of formerly permanent water sources
and changing of microclimatic conditions of the area. Over exploitation of the
forest’s resources where extraction appears to exceed the rate of natural
replenishment of the ecosystem, is largely to blame for the rapid rate at which
the rangelands ecological integrity is being eroded.
In Makurian Group Ranch, increased
dry climatic variations have led to inadequate water for domestic use and
livestock watering. Most earth dams are silted because of increased erosion and
sedimentation as a result of improper land use practices. Scarcity of water is
also resulting in increased human-wildlife conflict.
Recommendation
Development of water
points in the group ranches will bring about reduction of pressure on the usage
of natural springs found within the forest reserve. Furthermore, the time will
be limited for pastoralists taking their animals to drink water; they move to
the forest early when pasture is still available in the group ranch.
There are eight water
sources in the forest which are highly depended on by the community during dry
seasons. Mostly, a large quantity of water from the sources is contaminated and
is unhealthy for people and livestock. Through protection of these sources,
clean water is guaranteed throughout the year for the four group ranches: Ilngwesi,
Makurian, Mukogodo, and Sieku Group ranch, surrounding the forest.
Samali Letai, is the Project Manager Ilmamusi Mukogodo Forest
Association, Tel: 0724 740283 Email: Ilmamusiforest4@gmail.com
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