The Government has signed a landmark Forest Management Agreement (FMA) with the community of Ntugi in Tharaka South, setting the stage for sustainable conservation and new economic opportunities for the residents.
The Chief Guest, Dr Thomas Kiptoo, the Acting Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests in charge of Advisory and County Liaison, said the 1,374-hectare forest holds immense potential if managed responsibly.
He noted that the agreement reflects the government’s resolve to involve local communities in natural resource management.
“The forest belongs to all of us, and this partnership ensures that while the environment is conserved, the community also benefits. From beekeeping and herbal medicine to eco-tourism and controlled livestock grazing, Ntugi residents will now enjoy sustainable livelihoods directly tied to conservation,” said Dr. Kiptoo.
Tharaka Nithi County Forest Conservator, Mr Ruben Muigai, welcomed the agreement, noting that it comes at a critical time for the semi-arid region.
He explained that while fruit trees such as mangoes and oranges thrive in the area, indigenous species require careful propagation to survive.
Muigai added that Ntugi has not yet reached the threshold to be classified as full forestation and this would only be possible if the forest is merged with neighboring blocks for better management. But warned that such an effort faces major challenges.
“We are grappling with a shortage of rangers, inadequate infrastructure such as housing, and limited water supply. These gaps must be addressed if we are to strengthen protection and eventually achieve full forest status,” Muigai said, appealing to the government to provide additional support.
Mr Gathuru Mburu, representing the Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE), an NGO that has been working with the National government, the County government, and the local community to promote environmental stewardship, praised the agreement as a breakthrough in participatory conservation.
He said ICE has been instrumental in mobilizing residents, raising awareness, and training them on sustainable forest use, which has already enhanced community ownership of conservation efforts.
“This agreement ensures that residents are not just bystanders but active partners in conservation. If well managed, Ntugi Forest can transform the local economy through beekeeping, eco-tourism, herbal medicine, and sustainable livestock grazing,” Mburu said.
The Ntugi Forest Management Agreement brings together the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), County and National governments, NGOs, and the local community.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the partnership will not only conserve the forest but also serve as a model for semi-arid regions where environmental conservation must go hand-in-hand with livelihood opportunities.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
