By R, KNA
The Chairman of the Community Forest Association (CFA), Marakwet West Sub-County, Peter Ndiang’ong, has announced new regulations aimed at protecting forest resources while allowing sustainable firewood collection practices.
In a community meeting held in Kapsowar, Ndiang’ong emphasized that firewood collection is now only permitted once a week, and strictly for domestic use.
“Firewood should be taken home not to the market, Collection is only allowed once a week,” he said, underlining the importance of reducing deforestation and misuse of forest resources.
He further clarified that only dead wood should be collected, and that any form of tree felling or removal of live trees is strictly prohibited.
“There will be no removing or felling of live trees,” Ndiang’ong warned. “We are allowing people to break and take the dry ones only, so that they can cook and survive, but the forest must be protected.”
He also cautioned against using axes or any tools that could be used to cut down live trees.
“No axes are allowed in the forest. Use your hands to collect only what has fallen,” he added.
The CFA chairman urged community members to comply with the new guidelines to help preserve the environment and avoid penalties.
The measures come at a time when forest degradation has been a growing concern in the region, with local authorities seeking to strike a balance between community needs and conservation efforts.
