NJUKIRI FOREST

Njukiri Forest (in Embu) and Njukiini Forest (in Kirinyaga) form a contiguous forest block at the eastern base of Mount Kenya. In Embu County, Njukiri Community Forest Association (NCFA), with support from Kenya Forest Service, has been continually involved in tree planting exercises to replenish the degraded areas.This was in recognition that the environment and forests protection is a shared responsibility that ought to be pursued tirelessly by all. Between 2015 and 2017, NCFA planted 150,000 tree seedlings, 75% exotic; 25% indigenous species, with an average survival rate of 75%. Likewise, Kangaita Community Forest Users Association has replenished 55-hectares of Njukiini Forest in Kirinyaga .Be that as may, human-wildlife conflicts continues to be a major challenge in Njukiri Forest. It arises because the farmers’ access forest areas in search of pasture. Moreover, wild animals escape the forest area and, form time to time, attack livestock. Not to be undone, the farmers also enter protected forest areas and clear up forest areas in search of fuel and land. The clearance of forest land has resulted to increased conflicts with wild animals and authorities.