The national government through Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) is setting up a roadmap to help ensure conservation and restoration of Mt Elgon Ecosystem.
The blueprint coined courtesy of Global Environment Facility Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Project (GEF-7 FOLUR) under Integrated Landscape Management Conservation of Mt Elgon Kenya Programme, will among other things help develop a shared and coordinated approach towards restoration of Mt Elgon landscape.
Speaking when he opened the first multistakeholder workshop in support of the project at Kitale National Polytechnic, Secretary of State Department for Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai who is also the patron of the project said formulation of the Ecosystem Management Plan presents a key step in the restoration process of Mt Elgon as it will help enhance development and direct sustainable land use decisions across Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties.
Terming the engagement as a critical step in the development of the shared and coordinated approach, Kimtai pointed out that unity, determination and a shared vision will help achieve a healthy and productive Mt Elgon landscape that supports both people and nature.
“Practical and locally owned landscape management plans will not only help account for biophysical, social economic and institutional dimensions but will also go a long way to help build a shared evidence-based framework for decision-making,” he said as he rallied for continued enhancement of collaborations and partnerships which he termed as a key element towards the achievement of the project’s objectives.
The implementation of the project is done by KFS in collaboration with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
GEF-7 Project Manager James Malombe said the Integrated Landscape Management Conservation of Mt Elgon Kenya programme expected to cost Sh6.6 billion will to a greater extent help improve livelihoods of surrounding communities.
During the engagement, the Participatory Informed Landscape Approach (PILA) developed by FAO that represents a new approach to inclusive and evidence-based decision making in integrated landscape management for conservation and restoration of the Mt Elgon Ecosystem was discussed after being tabled by the Organisation’s representative Laura Jansen.
Jansen who stressed FAO commitment to the course pointed out competition for natural resources as a key obstacle to the restoration efforts saying there is need for a dialogue platform where the views of all stakeholders are considered.
By Isaiah Nayika
