Household Factors Affecting the Implementation of Forest Conservation Strategies. A Case of South Nandi Forest, Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

Forest resource utilization poses a major challenge to the delicate balance between complex-fragile ecosystems in many developing countries. Forests in such economies are major sources of livelihood for the rural communities who depend on forest resources for fuel wood, construction material and livestock grazing, among others. The extraction of biomass in the form of forest products like timber, fuel wood and fodder alters wildlife habitat and constitutes one of the most important threats to forests and wildlife. The main objective of the study was to establish household factors affecting the implementation of strategies in forest conservation of forests in South Nandi Forest Kenya. This study utilized conservation theory and nature’s template theory. The research design for this study was descriptive survey. The target population for this study was all the residents round Nandi South Forest and those working in the forest with a sample size of 120 respondents. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and came out with frequencies and percentages using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) - this is the reliable tool for quantitative data analysis. This study found out that the majority of the locals are not employed they may end up encroaching into the forest for the activities that will generate some income for them. The majority of the locals earn less than US dollars 100 which are not enough to take care of their loved ones. Daily expenditure is not good enough to satisfy their needs which are likely to tempt them to encroach into the forest. The forest provides a good source of firewood since is the source of fuel that the locals mostly use thus inhibiting strategies that may lead to stopping them from over harvesting from the forest. The majority of the locals more than 55 per cent have insufficient land thus the temptation of encroaching the forest for forest products e.g. timber, fuel or to farm. This makes implementation of forest conservation difficult. Grazing by the locals end up endangering the forest cover and the wild vegetation in the forest. The study found out that the majority have no training on forest conservation which makes it difficult for the forest to be conserved. The findings indicate that there is a small number of locals who have been trained on how to regulate and plan cutting of trees, control over forest fire, reforestation and afforestation, check over forest clearance for agricultural purposes, protection of forest, and proper utilization of forest products and forests. For forest conservation to be effective, more motivation is needed and more of training should be done to educate people about the importance of forests, the need to conserve them and how to conserve them. For better handling of the challenges on implementation of forest conservation measures there should be full involvement of local community in forest conservation. Barazas are the ideal method of communication through which information regarding forest conservation is gotten and they should make sure that many people are involved in planning and implementation of forest conservation activities. With more efforts from the relevant authorities it’s easy to converse the forest and make sure that tree planting is the best way of planning and implementation of forest conservation activities. Through forest conservation and proper management the forest can be very beneficial to many that stay around without destroying it. The local authorities can use the available environmental groups to enlighten the community on the importance of forest conservation. The study found out that deforestation through illegal logging; charcoal burning; and the encroachment of forests for human settlement and agriculture. These problems are compounded by illiteracy, poverty and rapid growth of the human population. Promoting awareness campaigns is the best to counter challenges in forest conservation. Men should not be taken to be sole decision makers which in turn hinders the implementation of forest conservation measures, women should be incorporated in the decision making process.