Mount Kenya Reforestation
Mount Kenya glaciers and forests - the source of water for the whole country.
Kenya’s forests are rapidly declining due to significant population growth and other land uses. The result of this is such that there is only 2% forest cover remaining. Experts warned us years ago: Global warming could cause a 25 % drop in surface water across Africa by the end of the century1. The Horn of Africa is currently suffering the biggest draught in 60 years. We must act now to alleviate local famine and prepare for the future by stopping the progression of the desert through the restoration of the forests on the slopes of Mount Kenya.
Today, Kenya's forest cover is less than 2% and Mount Kenya Forest constitutes some of the most significant reserves of the remaining forestland in the country. With a big part of the country being arid and semi-arid, this produces a lot of strain on the rest of the land - since the economy is natural- resource based.
The main issues in Kenya are:
- Deforestation
Mount Kenya has lost about 30% of its forest cover through various illegal activities such as timber harvesting, shamba systems, charcoal burning and poles collection. This is threatening wildlife living in the forest.
- Decreases in water volume
Mount Kenya forests act as water catchment areas to many rivers that over the years have seen decreases in water volume due to loss of forest cover. This is leading to water conflicts among communities.
- Poverty
Most communities living in the area are poor because of unsustainable methods of farming which have caused massive soil erosion and infertility.
- Food insecurity
Most communities living in the area are suffering from diminishing food crop productivity due to lack of proper knowledge on how to farm sustainably.
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