LOGGING CURBED IN MT KENYA FOREST

Mount Kenya residents may benefit from a multi-million shilling scheme from
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) following a decline in destructive
activities in the forest, including logging and cultivation of marijuana.

This follows the launch of a report on the Changes in the state of
conservation of Mt Kenya forests: 1999-2002 revealing a marked improvement
in activities around the catchment area.

The study reveals that the levels of destructive activities, including
logging of indigenous trees had significantly decreased since1999, falling
by 93 per cent. Camphor logging had reduced by 96 per cent.

The number of recorded charcoal kilns has gone down by 62 per cent from 547
in 1999 to 205 in 2002. Marijuana cultivation had decreased from 31
hectares a in 1999 to 5.8 hectares in 2002.

Speaking during the launch of the report on Thurday night, environmetal
conservation minister Newton Kulundu urged the forest department and KWS
not to relent in their efforts. He said this in a speech read by his
assistant, Prof Wangari Mathai.

United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep) Executive Director, Klaus
Toepfer, reacting to the results of the survey, said the results showed
there was the will to address environment and development issues.