The Cooperative Bank has injected over Sh30million in building Kenya Forest Service (KFS) houses and other supportive infrastructure project in the management of the Lusoi Hill Forest bordering both Nyeri and Laikipia counties.
While presiding over the launch of Lusoi Hill Participatory Forest Management Plan(PFMP) and Signing of the Forest Management Agreement(FMA) mid this month, Acting Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko commended the participation of the community and other stakeholders including Cooperative Bank for the concerted efforts in the management of the forests.
Lemarkoko noted that participatory forest management and community participation is a demonstration that forestry can be used to solve socio-economic needs of people living adjacent to forests.
He further observed that Lusoi Hill has a lot of potential to attract investment and tourism activities and generate income for the communities.
The Cooperative Bank contributed in building of forest rangers houses and other infrastructure at a cost of Sh30million.
Lusoi Hill is a public forest covering 259.9 Ha at the border of Laikipia and Nyeri counties.
The development of the PFMPs is done in line with the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016, the legal framework upon which participatory forest management is established.
The purpose of this PFMP developed with support from Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Program(SACDEP-Kenya), is to provide a framework for sustainable management of this fragile ecosystem for improvement of livelihoods for the adjacent community.
Lemarkoko urged locals to also plant trees in their farmlands to ensure both Laikipia and Nyeri counties experience environmental improvement.
It is projected that the successful implementation of the Lusoi Hill PFMP will inspire particularly the youth in Nyeri, Laikipia and other areas to take up careers and activities geared towards conservation of our nation’s natural resources.
During this exercise, the Chief Conservator also launched the Schools and Youth Environmental Conservation in Action learners guide developed by SACDEP-Kenya.
The launch was attended by KFS and Government officers including Deputy CCF Peter Nduati, Kenya Forestry College Principal Elizabeth Wambugu, Central Highlands Regional Forest Conservator Andrew Soi, Laikipia County Director of Environment and Natural Resources David Kingori and private sector partner Cooperative Bank among others.