BUGAR FOREST

Bugar Forest, in Elgeyo Marakwet County also shows evidence of more farmland that was once dense forest. Part of this forest is the largest planted forest of its kind in Elgeyo Marakwet, traditionally put to use to cultivate logs for the production of timber. The completion of Iten-Bugar Road in 2018 made access to this forest as well as to Bugar Town (one of eight main towns in Elgeyo Marakwet) much easier. The main urban centres in the County are: Iten, Tambach, Kapsowar, Chepkorio, Chebiemit, Cheptongei, Kapyego, Bugar, Flax, Chesoi and Kapcherop. Most of these are situated in the highlands, while at the Kerio Valley small markets and trading centers such as Arror, Tot, Rimoi and Kimwarer are less busy and far-between. Although rarely exploited as a touring destination, there are numerous public entrances to the forest for exploring the woodland, which is flanked by Elgeyo Escarpment on its eastern limits. The omens are that Bugar Forest will become for Elgeyo Marakwet what many forests in the fast-growing areas of have become: attractive scenically but perpetually under threat of anthropogenic activities to clear land for settlement.