Residents of Alale Ward in West Pokot County are set to benefit from efforts by non-state actors to restore the degraded Kalapata Community Forest and promote sustainable livelihoods among local communities.
The restoration initiative targets 100 acres of the forest, which has come under intense pressure from human activities, threatening the ecosystem and livelihoods of communities that depend largely on livestock keeping and resilient forms of agriculture.
Rural Initiatives for Agricultural Development and Social Networking (RIAD – SN), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will implement a 10-months project aimed at restoring the degraded forest ecosystem.
The project will involve mapping 100 acres for restoration, establishing three tree nurseries and producing and distributing indigenous and fruit tree seedlings to support the rehabilitation of the forest.
Speaking during a County Steering Group (CSG) meeting in Kapenguria where the project proposal was presented, Dr. Linet Makena from RIAD – SN said the initiative would take advantage of the anticipated El Nino rains to improve the germination and establishment of tree seedlings.
She said restoration of the forest would not only improve environmental conservation but also contribute to sustainable pasture production and better nutrition among communities living in the area.
Makena said the project would further strengthen community participation in forest management while improving monitoring, accountability and learning throughout its implementation.
The Kalapata area is predominantly inhabited by pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on livestock and crop production, making the restoration of the forest ecosystem important to their economic and environmental wellbeing.
West Pokot County Chief Officer for Special Programmes, Humanitarian Coordination and Disaster Management Daniel Lopale urged members of the County Steering Group to remain actively engaged whenever called upon to support the establishment and implementation of community welfare projects.
Lopale welcomed partnerships between the county government, development organizations and other non-state actors, saying they had played an important role in addressing marginalisation and humanitarian challenges in the region.
He said continued collaboration among stakeholders was essential in ensuring that development and humanitarian interventions reached communities facing environmental and livelihood challenges.
by Richard Muhambe
