Multilateral forest management initiatives and environmental security in East Africa: a case study of Kenya.

Abstract

Multilateral forest management is the international agreement that covers provisions whose intention is to control certain actions connected to forests. Nevertheless, there is no general lawful instrument in which forests are the major focus; there is no existing global accord in which the entire social-Economic and environmental elements of forest ecosystems are included. The existing significance on development collaboration amongst these elements may not be adequate towards guaranteeing sustainable forest management, and hence shift is focuses within the Convention on Biological Diversity to include sustainable forest management, additionally, numerous Forest Management Initiatives have also been undertaken. Environmental safety assesses risks and threats caused by environmental measures and trends to the country, persons, and communities. This research seeks to examine multilateral forest management initiatives and environmental security in East Africa with focus to Kenya by looking at the status of multilateral environmental agreements toward addressing regional environmental security in East Africa. Further assess the prospects challenges and examine the key actors and strategies to address forest management through multilateralism and other initiatives. This research utilized mixed of both qualitative and qualitative study approaches and use both primary and secondary data sources. Questionnaires will be used and the results of this questionnaire can significantly benefit stakeholders to shape strategic direction in relations of environmental security. The study made the following recommendations based on the finding. It is imperative to devise a communication plan on environmental offences that will be equally internal and external. There is a need to conduct more studies on diversity of sectors to bring on board authentic levels of the crimes planned, and others which may not have been recorded. Key amongst these offences are those associated with dangerous wastes, where data is negligible and non-authoritative, particularly on discarding and haulage of waste. The situation is comparable with bush meat trade, snaring, and unlawful logging. Multi Agency would be critical in management of forest resource apart from Kenya Forest Service; there are other organization and stakeholders who are critical in Management of forest for sustainable development. Bringing awareness on the scope, nature and prominence of environmental crime, predominantly amongst local communities, and formal and informal institutions, will assist in the fight against it.