[Published: Thursday September 10 2009]
Kenyan $ 81m appeal to restore forest gets UN backing
Nairobi, 10 Sept-(ANA)-Kenya has launched an appeal for $ 81 million to fund efforts halting the degradation of its Mau Forests Complex, the United Nations Environment Programme has announced.
In addition to being the single most important source of water for direct
consumption in the Rift Valley and western Kenya, the Mau complex helps to
control river flows, mitigate flooding, reduce soil erosion, maintain
biodiversity, sequester carbon and regulate the microclimate in Kenya and the
region.
Kenya is seeking $ 81 million over the next three years to implement some of the
key rehabilitation interventions to protect the forest.
In the last 20 years the forest has lost around 107,000 hectares – approximately
25 per cent – of its cover due to ir regular and unplanned settlements, illegal
logging and charcoal burning, the change of land use from forest to
unsustainable agriculture and change in ownership from public to private, UNEP
said. (ANA)
FA/ANA/10 September 2009---
|