REDD+ in Kenya
Introduction
The prevalence of deforestation and massive degradation of forests from around the world are considered as one among the primary root of global warming. According to reports, the destruction of forests accounts for about 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions that occur globally (Forest, 2015), and it was found that deforestation are generally caused by factors that motivate people to clear the forests (Chakravarty, 2012). As a means to combat the problem on global emissions, the REDD+ was created with the goal to reduce the impact of the environmental degradation as well as to foster activities that aim to conserve and achieve forest sustainability. This paper aims to discuss the problem of environmental destruction in Ukambini Kenya and how REDD projects in the country can possibly intervene to mitigate the problem. Included in the discussion is the different the challenges faced by this environmental intervention as well as the current initiatives being done under this program.
The Case of Ukambini, Kenya
A vast majority of regions in East Africa has deteriorated due to years of exploitative activities that include logging and deforestation undertakings. This is particularly so in Ukambini Kenya, where massive agricultural expansion during the colonial period resulted in the clearing and exploitation of suitable lands to meet the needs of “new markets, new property relations, population growth and large-scale migration and resettlement” (Rocheleau, Steinberg, & Benjamin, 1995, p. 1040). Accordingly, Ukambini’s environmental problem has been shaped by what is referred as the ‘succession of crisis’. While there have been interventions implemented as a means to resolve the crisis in the region, these responses are designed to resolve “only a small part of a much larger problem, the response at best have been ineffective and at worst have contributed to the construction of new crises” (Rocheleau, Steinberg, & Benjamin, 1995, p. 1040). Ukambi was once described by colonial settlers as having a fertile land that is occupied by a well-off group of people. However, massive changes occurred since the 19th century that led the region into a period of environmental crisis starting from the human and livestock endemic that started sometime in the 1890s. The endemic was followed by problems of massive soil erosion during the second decade of the 20th century, underproduction in the 1940s and deforestation and energy shortage as well as endangered biodiversity in later years (Rocheleau, Steinberg, & Benjamin, 1995, p. 1044).
Numerous interventions were implemented as a means to address the different environmental problems that occurred in Ukambi, Kenya, however, observers noted how these interventions served futile in resolving the crisis. For example, the problem of soil erosion was caused by the government’s effort to solve human and animal endemics through sedentary settlements and colonial tenure policies. The majority of the intervention processes overlooked the possibility of contributing to another form of environmental crisis. In the book entitled The Political Economy of Soil Erosion in Developing Countries, Blaike (1985) pointed out that the problem and analysis of soil erosion and environmental degradation are caused by social factors. Some of these factors include the inability of peasants to adopt sustainable land management measures, failure to adhere to land regulations among land users, ineffective implementation of policies and deficient political will. Accordingly, the degradation of the environment, not only in Kenya, but other parts of the world is attributed largely blamed on the end users.
The Kasigau Corridor Project and REDD Plus Implementation in Kenya
Reports revealed that the major causes of deforestation in Kenya currently are, a) the intentional conversion of forest regions to agricultural or residential lands, b) unsustainable use of forest resources, c) wild fires and d) alternating manners of cultivation. The fast paced forest losses in Kenya call for the need of interventions to restore its forests and its environment as a whole. It is with the goal of helping “reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD-plus) that the Kasigau Corridor Project in Kenya introduced alternative livelihood activities for Kenyan indigenous groups (REDD+, 2013).
The Kasigau Corridor project that is initiated in the Taita Taveta District was introduced with the goal to avoid the continuous and unplanned degradation of the remaining forests in the region. The supporter of this project, Wildlife Works, started this program by engaging in revenue generating activities in order to protect wildlife and conserve the environment. Specifically, the Kasigau Corridor intends to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by implementing measures to prevent the deforestation and degradation of the environment. It is found that farmers in the region typically resort to slash and burn techniques in growing their crops, and much of the land in Taita Districts and adjacent areas were transformed into cropland after exploiting the resources for charcoal trade (The Carbon, n.d). A further study on the locality indicated that the land users implemented only a minimal soil management, which added to the endangerment of wildlife and speedy deforestation. Another factor that resulted to deforestation is the unpredictability of rainfall, which force farmers seek and clear other areas that may yield better production. This practice has been prevalent, not only in the Taita Taveta District, but also in other Kenyan regions.
The REDD+ project serves as an important global effort that aims to fight against the growing problem of climate change. While there are diverse causes of climate change, a study conducted by The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) revealed that the among the largest and most common contributory factor is deforestation. For example, the escalation of cattle grazing inhibits the growth of plants which would otherwise help in natural deforestation.
Intervention Measures
One of the intervention measures implemented through the Kasigau Corridor Project is job creation. This livelihood project enables people to provide for the needs of their families without resorting to illegal means such as charcoal trading. This was made possible by building eco-factories that employed from the local community during the construction phase, and the eventual employment of young women in the organic cotton clothing company (The Carbon, n.d). Included in the job creation projects is the provision of support to help farmers, allowing them to learn more about sustainable farming methods. The project helps the farmers in the locality to become more efficient in farming, in order for them to gain ore output despite lesser costs and land. In addition to building eco-factories and the promotion of sustainable farming, the project also employed about 120 young men and women to serve as rangers and protectors of wildlife (Code REDD, 2012). An essential objective of the Kasigau Corridor Project and REDD Plus Implementation is the protection of the forest and the wildlife therein. In line with the goal to restore and preserve the natural environment, the Wildlife Works organized ranger stations in different project regions, with each station manned by about 8 to 12 rangers. The main goal of the Wildlife Works rangers is to guard the environment against the threat of deforestation activities such as illegal charcoal production and cattle grazing (The Carbon Neutral, n.d). Further, the project called for the creation of a High Conservation Value (HCV) team who are tasked to keep track and monitor species that belong to the HCV, such as the African elephant and other animals.
As a means to help the local communities to divert their source of livelihood through sustainable agricultural techniques, the Wildlife Works implemented another project in the form of organic greenhouse and nurseries. The project supported the farmers in the propagation of citrus trees, and other forest wood species to help meet the diverse nutritional and medicinal needs of the locality. Specifically, the Wildlife Works offer trainings to people who are employed to take care of the nurseries. For example, there are nurseries that cater to the production of jojoba plants, which are an excellent source of raw materials that are commonly used in the production of cosmetics. Further, the project is also directed towards reforestation efforts, such as the planting of around 20,000 wood species in Mt. Kasigau. The tree planting initiatives is valuable measures to restore the forest that has been damaged due to massive charcoal production (The Carbon, n.d).
Critique of the Sustainable Development Intervention
In a New York Times report about the forest protection efforts in Guatemala, it pointed to the concept that people who gain a living from the forest have the motivation to protect it because it is their main source of livelihood. To quote Marcedonion Cortave who is the head of the alliance of communities who are working in the communities: “Nobody is going to take care of somebody else’s house, somebody else’s garden” (Malkin, 2015). This reforestation measure can well be implemented in Kenya, as people will be encouraged to protect the very source of their livelihood. While the sustainable measures implemented through the REDD plus project in Kenya have its merits, the program is also costly to implement. This is because the project has to provide full support to the community for a considerable time, and it would be difficult to determine when the community can be able to proceed with the projects on its own. On the other hand, the strategy of allowing the community to take charge of their own sustainability is more helpful, as the people will become more responsible about their environment. This concept is in line with the result of an experiment in Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala, which suggests that: “The most effective way to protect forests is to give control of them to the communities who already live there” (Malkin, 2015). That is, the responsibility of taking care of the forests and the wildlifes, as well as the reforestation measures are under the care of the community.
Own Analysis of the Sustainable Intervention
The intervention measure presented by Wildlife Work is an essential move that promotes awareness about the need to conserve the environment. Securing a job for the locality was of paramount importance in order to give the locality an alternative means of living other than resorting to the deforestation activities. Consequently, the other measures implemented through the Kasigau Corridor project will be helpful in achieving the goals of reforestation in the region. This is because the projects are closely monitored and any challenges that may arise have a high likelihood to be addressed immediately.
Conclusion
The implementation of the Kasigau project is only one among the diverse steps that should be taken to prevent the further deforestation and degradation of global forests. There are many projects such as the Kasigau project that aims to preserve the remaining forest around the world. However, the success of these projects will only materialize with the cooperation of the people concerned.
References
Blaikie, P. (1985). Why do policies fail. In The political economy of soil erosion in developing countries. Longman Group Limited.
Chakravarty, S., Ghosh, S., Suresh, C., Dey, A., Shukla, G. (2012). Deforestation: Causes, Effects and Control Strategies. Global Perspectives on Sustainable Forest Management. Retrieved from http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs-wm/36125.pdf
Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. (2015). What is REDD. Retrieved from http://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/what-redd
Malkin, E. (2015). In Guatemala, people living off forests are tasked with protecting them. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/world/americas/in-guatemala-people-living-off-forests-are-tasked-with-protecting-them.html
REDD+ Safeguards. (2013). Kenya's REDD opening to change. Retrieved from http://reddplussafeguards.com/kenya/
Rocheleau, D., Steinberg, P., & Benjamin, P. (1995). Environmental, development, crisis, and crusade: Ukambini, Kenya, 1890-1990. World Development, 23(6).
The Carbon Neutral. (n.d.). Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project. Retrieved from http://www.carbonneutral.com/images/uploads/projects/Kasigau_Corridor_REDD%2B_VCS.pdf
