| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of the study was to investigate the practice of Urban Forestry. This was
necessitated by the revelation, from the press and other members of public that the
allocation of forest land for other land uses was taking place at a high rate. For along
time neither economists nor decision-makers have fully acknowledged the
subsistence value of forests or considered livelihood dependence to be a factor in
forest conservation. Yet information about domestic forest use values and their role
in local livelihoods forms an integral part of forest conservation planning. In spite of
the value of urban forestry, it has not been given the attention it deserves. Karura
Forest is rich and diverse "island" encircled by even more threatening waves of
human and ecological pressures. If we wish to save it, and continue to benefit and
profit from essential product and services it provides us, then the forest warrants our
urgent and constant attention. Therefore, this formed the basis for the study.
The research used both primary and secondary sources of data. These included
scheduled interviews, questionnaire interviews, focus group discussion and key
informants.
Findings from this study indicates that the practice of Urban Forestry is done for a
variety of reasons, namely to obtain fuel wood, greening effect recreation and
climate modification. It also established that contrary to the legal provisions NCC
played no active role as regards to UF unlike MENR. The study further reveals
major changes in land cover; this includes changes in the proportions of land area
under cover from 1, 041 hectares to 564.14 hectares, representing a 46 percent
decline in forest cover. The study especially noted that lack of harmony in various
Land Laws has led to the forest degradation.
In this respect the study takes particular note that there is forestland use change
process from forestry to residential use. The study arrives at the conclusion that land
use change in the study area is evolving in such a way to constitute urban sprawl,
which should draw special attention of urban planners and conservationists in the
study area.
The study makes further recommendations to amend and harmonize the existing
land laws and especially those, which are relevant to the practice of Urban Forestry,
should be reviewed accordingly to effect this proposal.
The study further proposes that the Commissioner of Lands, Director of Physical
Planning, and The Forest Conservator and other similar officers should be given
security of tenure so that they are in a position to make independent judgement or
decisions without fear or favour.
On a strong note the study proposes that no further change of user should be
allowed, the allocated land that has not been developed should be surrendered back
to the government and major reforestation programmes be undertaken in the study
area.
Finally, the study identifies the need for zoning map, which will form the basis for
management of the area based on the conditions of the forest in various zones. | en_US |
