P. M. KariukiKenya Forest Service

Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Kenya

&Candidate REDD Strategies

Contents

Forests in Kenya & change over time Key drivers / causes of DD Analysis of measures to address DD Information gaps Candidate strategies for REDD

Category of forest resource

(using FAO definitions)

Area (‘000 Ha)Annual Change

(‘000 Ha)

1990 2000 2005 20101990 -

2010

1. Indigenous closed Canopy Forest

1,240 1,190 1,165 1,140 -5

2. Indigenous Mangroves

80 80 80 80 0

3. Open woodlands 2,150 2,100 2,075 2,050 -54. Public Plantation

Forests170 134 119 107 -3.15

5. Private Plantation forests

68 78 83 90 +1.1

Sub - total Forest land (total of above categories)

3,708 3,5822,35

73,467 -12.05

6. Bush-land24,80

024,635

24,570

24,510

-14.5

7. Farms with Trees 9,420 10,02010,32

010,38

5+48.25

Total Area of Kenya58,03

758,03

758,0

3758,03

70

Areas of forests in Kenya and change since 1990,(FAO, FRA 2010)

Key drivers / causes of DD

During the R-PP process, a litany of drivers responsible for deforestation and forest degradation (DD) have been identified (presented in annex 2a of the report).

3 key drivers have been identified as having immensely contributed to DD in Kenya including,1. Clearing for agriculture2. Unsustainable utilisation3. Poor governance and institutional

failures

Key drivers / causes of DD

1. Pressure for agricultural land combined with high poverty incidences High rainfall areas best suited for forestry

are also areas of high population density, demand for agric. land also high

Rapidly increasing population has heightened demand for land

Few or no livelihood options has created overdependence on agriculture and mounting pressure on forest lands

Key drivers / causes of DD Cont …

2. Unsustainable utilisation, tends to degrade and can greatly reduce carbon stocks, Indigenous forests - degraded thro’ illegal

logging of valuable trees, unregulated grazing

Woodlands and bushlands - degraded thro’ extensive exploitation for charcoal, unregulated grazing

Plantations - degraded through illegal logging, inappropriate silviculture, grazing

Key drivers / causes of DD Cont …

3. Poor governance and institutional failures over the past decades (1980s, 90s) poor governance on the part of

State and local government institutions responsible for forests has been a major driver of deforestation and degradation over the past two decades

Week capacity to enforce the law

Analysis of measures to address DD

Comprehensive reforms introduced over the past 5 years in Kenya are aimed at overcoming the trend of DD and overcoming past deficiencies, include1. Establishment of KFS2. Forest management planning3. Community participation & focus on livelihoods4. Incentivizing SFM5. Promoting commercial tree growing6. Stringent measures to block forest excisions (sect.

28) 7. Establishment of FMCF8. Reversal of past misdeeds

REDD+ hardy in reinforcing these reform measures

Information gaps

Gaps related to drivers of DD and which require to be understood include,1. Inadequate data on forest resources2. Current domestic timber requirements – S/D3. Timber value chain4. Supply / demand modelling5. Unsustainable charcoal production &

understanding the charcoal value chain6. Mechanisms of benefit sharing

arrangements7. Forest degradation related to overgrazing8. Data on impact of fires on forests resources

and carbon stocks

Objectives of REDD &

REDD Strategy Options

Objectives of the REDD strategy1. To reduce emissions from

deforestation and degradation of existing forest lands

2. To increase carbon stocks in existing forests

3. To reduce pressure on forests 4. To enhance the value of forests to

livelihoods and the national economy

Candidate REDD strategies

4 priority areas have been identified including,

1. Reducing pressure to clear forests for agriculture

2. Promoting sustainable utilisation of forests 3. Improving governance in the forest sector 4. Promoting enhancement of carbon stocks

Candidate strategies cont …1. Reducing pressure to clear forests for agriculture

especially in the trustlands Awareness and advocacy among farming

communities Strengthening capacity of LAs to manage forests pilot management of trustland forests by CFAs Assist KFS in piloting community participation

arrangements Pilot test benefit sharing arrangements Support alternative income generating acticities –

FAC Encourage farmers to move into intensive

agriculture Promote agroforestry / farm forestry Support implementation of PELIS Support KFS address forest fires

Candidate strategies cont …2. Promoting sustainable utilisation of

forestsAssist KFS to operationalise the

recently gazetted subsidiary legislation on charcoal production

Promote efficient charcoal making technology aimed at reducing waste

Promote fuel-efficient charcoal stovesPromote development of fuelwood

plantations

Candidate strategies cont …

3. Improving governance in the forest sector Strengthen the capacity of KFS to implement reforms Elaborating subsidiary legislation in support of the Forests Act Capacity building at all levels to implement the new

governance arrangements Support and strengthen community and private sector

partnerships, including piloting joint management arrangements

Development of management plans, Capacity building of CFAs Advocacy and awareness activities related to the new

governance arrangements; Strengthen the National Environment Tribunal

Strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations working in the forestry sector, judicial system in relation to forest and environment laws

Candidate strategies cont …

4. Enhancement of carbon stocks Advocacy, awareness, at all levels, changing attitudes,

including strengthening civil society organisations Tree planting campaigns Farm forestry extension, including developing manuals

and tools to support best practice in tree growing Support GoK to introduce incentives for commercial

scale investment in tree planting Support to promotion of SFM Support for forest protection that increases carbon

stock, improves biodiversity and livelihood benefits Support to the GoK target to plant 10% of land with

trees

End of Presentation

Thank you

Well grounded reforms

Analysis of Measures to Address Forest Destruction and Degradation

The reforms were carefully formulated over the last 2 decades and were based on comprehensive research and detailed data collection and therefore most promising strategy for REDD+ is to provide support for the implementation of the current reforms