Implementing sustainable environmental management in developing countries: a case study of community participation in forest management in Kenya
Abstract
Environmental sustainability has become increasingly important as we witness more extreme
weather changes, global warming and environmental degradation. As the world population
grow the need for more resources increase and forest resource is one of the public good
which is adversely affected. The increasing industrial activities over the years do not consider
the resulting environmental degradation such as water, air and land pollution. Many
ecosystems have been affected to the point where they can no longer withstand or recover
from disasters resulting from human activities. Sustainable forest management encompasses
the administrative, legal, technical, economic, social and environmental aspects of the
conservation and use of forests. Therefore there is need to increase forest cover and reduce
forest destruction and degradation in Kenya. The Government has recognized the critical role
to be played by forest-adjacent communities in ensuring that forest cover in the country
increases from the current two percent to the recommended ten percent. The local
communities constitute the core of these actors. Where the local communities depend heavily
on forest resources, their involvement in forest management is essential and without effective
mechanisms and strategies to ensure local level participation in forest management, there
cannot be sustainability of forest resources. This study interrogates environmental
sustainability in respect to community participation in forest management in Kenya and
suggests policy recommendations on the best strategies to manage forest resources in Kenya.
Citation
Institute of Diplomacy and International StudiesPublisher
University of Nairobi