Conservationists have criticised the move by Baringo County Assembly seeking to degazette Ol Arabel Forest in Mochongoi, to pave way for resettlement.
According to a motion by Mochongoi MCA Kipruto Kimosop, degazetting of the forest would pave way for legalisation of Mochongoi settlement scheme.The MCA noted that people residing within the settlement scheme have no tittles.The motion has sparked outcry from conservationists, saying people had encroached on forest land, and degazetting it was a blow to conservation efforts.
Lembus Council of Elders Chairman Joseph Leboo said the move was a setback in the wake of the Government’s move to reclaim degraded forest land to boost cover. He said the Government should explore alternative land to resettle those who were settled in the area.
The conservationists argue that degradation of Ol Arabel has affected rainfall patterns in several parts of the county. The conservationists also put forward that the Government should consider reclaiming the forest, which is almost entirely occupied to curb rising cases of encroachment of indigenous forests in the area.
Ol Arabel is part of Marmanet forest and a source of Ol Arabel river that feeds Lake Bogoria.Initially, the forest reserve covered 9,629 hectares (23,790 acres), but 6,273 hectares (15,500 acres) were excised in 1993.
[Article source: The Standard, by Caroline Chebet]
