Comments on: FLF – Friends Of The Lembus Forest http://ecokenya.org Plant a tree, make a difference Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:03:07 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Kipkorir Chemirmir http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-2254 Kipkorir Chemirmir Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:03:07 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-2254 By Alex Kiprotich The Standard on Sunday August 16, 2009 The thick canopy of trees that surround Eldama Ravine town is spectacular. From afar the vast forest that forms the Western Mau is green and plush. But as you venture deep into the alluring forest of evergreen mix of indigenous and exotic trees you will be dumbfounded.Unlike the Eastern Mau that has been cleared for human settlement, the destruction of Lembus forest has been blamed on forest officers.The officers, locals allege, collude with millers and charcoal traders to plunder the forest. Lembus forest, famed for its indigenous trees, remained intact thanks to the conservative initiatives of Lembus Council of Elders. But when the Standard on Sunday toured the forest blocks, last week, a depressing sight of old and fresh tree stumps and soil mounds emitting smokes — charcoal being prepared — struck us. At Narasha, the first of the seven blocks, are burnt trees and concealed logs waiting to be ferried. "They (loggers) cut down the trees under the supervision of forest guards and hide waiting for nightfall to transport their haul to sawmills mostly in Nakuru," said Mr Joseph Lebbo, the vice-chairman of the Council of Elders. He says the destruction has gone on undetected because loggers and charcoal burners are protected by forest officers. "From the outside one will think the forest is conserved but the truth is that it is almost depleted from the inside," he said. The continued destruction of the 152,000-acre forest has put the officers at loggerheads with the council of elders, who want the Government to allow them to conserve the forest like they did in the past. Cultural Heritage "When the council was in charge, the forest remained intact for hundreds of years because elders knew the importance of its heritage," Lebbo said. He added: "It is now ironic that those who are supposed to take care of the forest are decimating it at too fast." The elders’ concern on the future of the forest is evident in Kiplombe, Maji Mazuri, Chemususu, Chemorgong, Sabatia, and Sawich forest blocks. Deep in Narasha forest, lay fresh logs while some trees have barks scrapped off. "They fell these yesterday and probably they will come tonight to pick them," Lebbo said. Adding: "The ones with scrapped barks will be fell when they come to collect these logs." The loggers are indiscriminately cutting down trees, some as old as 100 years, which are too heavy to be ferried and have been left to decay. "It is total waste in some instances as the loggers cut even trees which they cannot carry," he said. Mr Albert Chemitei, a resident, said it is ironic the forest is facing extinction at the hands of the very people who are supposed to conserve it. "Nobody has encroached on the forest to annex land. It is the saw millers and those in charcoal business that collude with foresters to destroy it," he said. "It is wrong for Government officers to do business with our heritage," said Mzee Jonah Cheptoo. The 90-year-old said loggers have not spared indigenous trees. "It is now difficult to get herbs in the forest to heal some diseases because most of the trees have disappeared," he said. He said even wildlife and birds that used to inhabit the forest were disappearing by the day because of the wanton destruction. At Kiplombe, smoke billows from all corners. Freshly dug out charcoal can be spotted while tens of others are seasoning. "This smoke can be spotted from as far as forest office and nobody is taking action," said Lebbo. Mr Joshua Koitaba said the loggers go inside the forest in the pretext that they are going to collect firewood. Once they fell trees, Koitaba said, they use the firewood to cover logs loaded in trucks and transport them to Nakuru town. "They obtain firewood permits which they use to hoodwink members of the public," he said. He said each day almost 20 lorries enter Koibatek and leave in the dead of the night with logs. The elders have lost confidence in the officers and want the Government to allow them to be part of the management and conservation of the forest. Koitaba said they know the people behind the destruction but they cannot arrest them because they have protection. "It is not our people who are cutting down trees but people from other towns and they are protected by the local forest officers," he noted. Loggers and Guards Koitaba said there have been many incidences in the forest where locals have found loggers cutting down trees in the presence of the forest guards. "On inquiring why they were letting them cut the trees, the young men were told to mind their business or risk being shot by the guards," he said. Just 200 metres away from the forest office, are freshly cut logs and sacks of charcoal awaiting transportation. The new District Forest Officer Anthony Musyoka says he is aware of the complaints and will arrange a meeting with the elders to chart the way forward. "I am only 10 days old in the station and have not toured the forest to see the magnitude of destruction," he said. He added: "I will convene a meeting with the elders because conservation of forest needs concerted effort from all stakeholders." By Alex Kiprotich The Standard on Sunday August 16, 2009
The thick canopy of trees that surround Eldama Ravine town is spectacular. From afar the vast forest that forms the Western Mau is green and plush. But as you venture deep into the alluring forest of evergreen mix of indigenous and exotic trees you will be dumbfounded.Unlike the Eastern Mau that has been cleared for human settlement, the destruction of Lembus forest has been blamed on forest officers.The officers, locals allege, collude with millers and charcoal traders to plunder the forest. Lembus forest, famed for its indigenous trees, remained intact thanks to the conservative initiatives of Lembus Council of Elders. But when the Standard on Sunday toured the forest blocks, last week, a depressing sight of old and fresh tree stumps and soil mounds emitting smokes — charcoal being prepared — struck us. At Narasha, the first of the seven blocks, are burnt trees and concealed logs waiting to be ferried.
“They (loggers) cut down the trees under the supervision of forest guards and hide waiting for nightfall to transport their haul to sawmills mostly in Nakuru,” said Mr Joseph Lebbo, the vice-chairman of the Council of Elders. He says the destruction has gone on undetected because loggers and charcoal burners are protected by forest officers. “From the outside one will think the forest is conserved but the truth is that it is almost depleted from the inside,” he said. The continued destruction of the 152,000-acre forest has put the officers at loggerheads with the council of elders, who want the Government to allow them to conserve the forest like they did in the past.
Cultural Heritage
“When the council was in charge, the forest remained intact for hundreds of years because elders knew the importance of its heritage,” Lebbo said. He added: “It is now ironic that those who are supposed to take care of the forest are decimating it at too fast.” The elders’ concern on the future of the forest is evident in Kiplombe, Maji Mazuri, Chemususu, Chemorgong, Sabatia, and Sawich forest blocks. Deep in Narasha forest, lay fresh logs while some trees have barks scrapped off. “They fell these yesterday and probably they will come tonight to pick them,” Lebbo said. Adding: “The ones with scrapped barks will be fell when they come to collect these logs.” The loggers are indiscriminately cutting down trees, some as old as 100 years, which are too heavy to be ferried and have been left to decay. “It is total waste in some instances as the loggers cut even trees which they cannot carry,” he said. Mr Albert Chemitei, a resident, said it is ironic the forest is facing extinction at the hands of the very people who are supposed to conserve it. “Nobody has encroached on the forest to annex land. It is the saw millers and those in charcoal business that collude with foresters to destroy it,” he said. “It is wrong for Government officers to do business with our heritage,” said Mzee Jonah Cheptoo.
The 90-year-old said loggers have not spared indigenous trees. “It is now difficult to get herbs in the forest to heal some diseases because most of the trees have disappeared,” he said. He said even wildlife and birds that used to inhabit the forest were disappearing by the day because of the wanton destruction. At Kiplombe, smoke billows from all corners. Freshly dug out charcoal can be spotted while tens of others are seasoning. “This smoke can be spotted from as far as forest office and nobody is taking action,” said Lebbo. Mr Joshua Koitaba said the loggers go inside the forest in the pretext that they are going to collect firewood. Once they fell trees, Koitaba said, they use the firewood to cover logs loaded in trucks and transport them to Nakuru town. “They obtain firewood permits which they use to hoodwink members of the public,” he said. He said each day almost 20 lorries enter Koibatek and leave in the dead of the night with logs. The elders have lost confidence in the officers and want the Government to allow them to be part of the management and conservation of the forest. Koitaba said they know the people behind the destruction but they cannot arrest them because they have protection. “It is not our people who are cutting down trees but people from other towns and they are protected by the local forest officers,” he noted.
Loggers and Guards
Koitaba said there have been many incidences in the forest where locals have found loggers cutting down trees in the presence of the forest guards. “On inquiring why they were letting them cut the trees, the young men were told to mind their business or risk being shot by the guards,” he said. Just 200 metres away from the forest office, are freshly cut logs and sacks of charcoal awaiting transportation. The new District Forest Officer Anthony Musyoka says he is aware of the complaints and will arrange a meeting with the elders to chart the way forward. “I am only 10 days old in the station and have not toured the forest to see the magnitude of destruction,” he said. He added: “I will convene a meeting with the elders because conservation of forest needs concerted effort from all stakeholders.”

]]> By: Kipkorir Chemirmir http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-2232 Kipkorir Chemirmir Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:06:10 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-2232 Global warming is thought to occur by the green house effect. Light radiates from the air in many different wavelengths or colors. Light of very short wavelength (i.e., ultraviolet) passes through the earth's atmosphere, stopped only partially by the ozone layer, and is reflected back into space. As it is reflected, the light loses some of its energy (imagine light waves as a ball bouncing with less force than you threw it after it hits the ground) and does not return with as much energy as when it came in. Gases within the earth's atmosphere (most notably carbon dioxide or C02) trap the reflected light (now having less energy) and does not it escape into space. The low energy waves are reflected back toward earth, becoming heat. A simple experiment to demonstrate this is to leave your car parked in the sun on a summer day. Light enters the windows and is reflected off the seats, etc. The light waves lose some of their energy as they are reflected and cannot escape past the same glass widows they came in through. Do not leave your dog in the car if you try this, it can get very hot inside the car. Not all ultraviolet light gets to the earth. A large portion is stopped by the ozone layer before it has a chance to reach us at all. A hole in the ozone layer would let more ultraviolet light through, causing more energy (energy) to reach the earth's surface. This will contribute to global warming as the ultraviolet energy reaching the earth is ultimately converted to heat after it is reflected. Increasing the amount of C02 in the atmosphere will increase the amount of reflected energy capture and lead to a temperature increase. Where does the C02 come from? Two things really: Industry and destruction of trees (in rain forests, mainly). Industries typically burn things which produce C02 directly. Trees use up C02. Cutting them down reduces the amount of C02 "sucked up" from the atmosphere and leads to an overall increase. Global warming could possibly be prevented by reducing the amount of C02 put into the atmosphere from burning hydrocarbons and by stopping the destruction of the rain forests. What is causing the hole in the ozone layer? You see, the first time anyone actually looked at the structure of the ozone layer they discovered a hole. If that hole had always been there is a matter of debate. Some people believe that the ozone layer has always had a hole in it and that the hole was only recently observed because studies of the ozone layer structure were not given high priority. Without giving you the same lengthy explanation , the ozone layer hole is being caused (theoretically) by the release of chlorinated fluorocarbons into the atmosphere. Chlorinated Fluorocarbons (CFCs, from now on) are chemicals typically used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and as propellants in aerosol cans. These compounds rise into the atmosphere and, when stuck by high energy Light waves (such as ultraviolet light), form highly reactive compounds which destroy ozone. You will remember from the last explanation that ozone reflects harmful ultraviolet rays back into space before they reach earth. If more ultraviolet light reaches the earth (say from a loss of ozone) the earth stands a greater chance of warming up. The USA and several other countries have recently taken a very strong stance against ozone depleting agents such as CFCs (there are other ozone depleting substances, CFCs are the most widely used). The biggest contributor of ozone depleting CFCs, however, remains car air conditioning units. These things leak by nature and most cars made within the last 10 years have them. Given the magnitude of the situation of either global warming or an ozone layer depletion, the possibilities of neither should be dismissed. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is transparent to incoming short-wave solar radiation but absorbs long wave radiation emitted by the earth's surface. Carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere through both human activities and natural processes. The main Anthropogenic source of CO2 is fossil fuel combustion; emissions from this source are currently around 5 Gt per year. Changes in land use, in particular deforestation, over the past two centuries have also contributed to the Anthropogenic release of CO2 to the atmosphere. Estimates of the net flux of CO2 from terrestrial biota and soils around 1980 have varied enormously in the past but are now generally in the range 0.8 2.4 x 10l5 GT C per year Climate is one of the most important natural resources. Given the size of the planet Earth and its mean distance from the Sun, the three leading climate parameters are solar energy flux density, clouds plus precipitation and land surface characteristics. Asking for the most fundamental parameters for our life we get a very similar answer: energy from the sun, water from the skies and photosynthesis of plants. Hence, climate determines where we can live in larger numbers, what food we get, and how we have to protect ourselves against weather related extremes. Global warming is thought to occur by the green house effect. Light radiates from the air
in many different wavelengths or colors. Light of very short wavelength (i.e.,
ultraviolet) passes through the earth’s atmosphere, stopped only partially by
the ozone layer, and is reflected back into space. As it is reflected, the
light loses some of its energy (imagine light waves as a ball bouncing with
less force than you threw it after it hits the ground) and does not return
with as much energy as when it came in. Gases within the earth’s atmosphere
(most notably carbon dioxide or C02) trap the reflected light (now having less
energy) and does not it escape into space. The low energy waves are reflected
back toward earth, becoming heat. A simple experiment to demonstrate this is
to leave your car parked in the sun on a summer day. Light enters the windows
and is reflected off the seats, etc. The light waves lose some of their energy
as they are reflected and cannot escape past the same glass widows they came
in through. Do not leave your dog in the car if you try this, it can get very
hot inside the car. Not all ultraviolet light gets to the earth. A large
portion is stopped by the ozone layer before it has a chance to reach us at
all. A hole in the ozone layer would let more ultraviolet light through,
causing more energy (energy) to reach the earth’s surface. This will contribute
to global warming as the ultraviolet energy reaching the earth is ultimately
converted to heat after it is reflected. Increasing the amount of C02
in the atmosphere will increase the amount of reflected energy capture and
lead to a temperature increase. Where does the C02 come from? Two things
really: Industry and destruction of trees (in rain forests, mainly).
Industries typically burn things which produce C02 directly. Trees use up C02.
Cutting them down reduces the amount of C02 “sucked up” from the atmosphere
and leads to an overall increase. Global warming could possibly be prevented by reducing the amount of C02 put into the atmosphere from burning hydrocarbons and by stopping the destruction of the
rain forests. What is causing the hole in the ozone layer? You see, the first
time anyone actually looked at the structure of the ozone layer they
discovered a hole. If that hole had always been there is a matter of debate.
Some people believe that the ozone layer has always had a hole in it and that
the hole was only recently observed because studies of the ozone layer
structure were not given high priority. Without giving you the same lengthy
explanation , the ozone layer hole is being caused
(theoretically) by the release of chlorinated fluorocarbons into the
atmosphere. Chlorinated Fluorocarbons (CFCs, from now on) are chemicals
typically used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and as propellants in
aerosol cans. These compounds rise into the atmosphere and, when stuck by high
energy Light waves (such as ultraviolet light), form highly reactive compounds
which destroy ozone. You will remember from the last explanation that ozone
reflects harmful ultraviolet rays back into space before they reach earth. If
more ultraviolet light reaches the earth (say from a loss of ozone) the earth
stands a greater chance of warming up. The USA and several other countries
have recently taken a very strong stance against ozone depleting agents such
as CFCs (there are other ozone depleting substances, CFCs are the most widely
used). The biggest contributor of ozone depleting CFCs, however, remains car
air conditioning units. These things leak by nature and most cars made within
the last 10 years have them. Given the magnitude of the situation
of either global warming or an ozone layer depletion, the possibilities of
neither should be dismissed.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is transparent to incoming short-wave solar radiation but absorbs long wave radiation emitted by the earth’s surface. Carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere through both human activities and natural processes. The main Anthropogenic source of CO2 is fossil fuel combustion; emissions from this source are currently around 5 Gt per year.
Changes in land use, in particular deforestation, over the past two centuries have also contributed to the Anthropogenic release of CO2 to the atmosphere. Estimates of the net flux of CO2 from terrestrial biota and soils around 1980 have varied enormously in the past but are now generally in the range 0.8 2.4 x 10l5 GT C per year
Climate is one of the most important natural resources. Given the size of the planet Earth and its mean distance from the Sun, the three leading climate parameters are solar energy flux density, clouds plus precipitation and land surface characteristics. Asking for the most fundamental parameters for our life we get a very similar answer: energy from the sun, water from the skies and photosynthesis of plants. Hence, climate determines where we can live in larger numbers, what food we get, and how we have to protect ourselves against weather related extremes.

]]> By: Kipkorir Chemirmir http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-2115 Kipkorir Chemirmir Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:06:59 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-2115 LAKE FACES EXTINCTION AS FEEDER RIVERS DRY UP The three feeders that feed the world famous lake Nakuru have dried up. This means that the salty lake is no longer a safe home for flamingoes, which have made the lake a leading tourist attraction. The drying of rivers Njoro,Makalia and Nderit has been blamed on the massive destruction of the Mau forest complex. River Molo, which also has its source in the Mau, no longer finds its way to Lake Baringo, another tourist attraction. River Perkerra, popularly known for the irrigation schemes in the arid lower parts of Baringo is also dwindling, no thanks to environmental degradation in the Mau. Perkerra originates from Lembus forest which is part of larger Mau forest Complex which has 22 blocks namely Likia, Eburru, Nessuinet, Logoman, Ndoinet, Bararget, Tinet, East Mau and Sururu among others. Other rivers that have been affected are Mara and Sondu. Kenya Wildlife Service assistant director in charge of central rift conservation area, Ms Anne Kahihia, said the lake might be extinct in five years. “We had good rains last year and the rivers flowed for three months. That is the water that is sustaining the lake to date,” she said. River Lamudiac, and underground water source inside the park, dried up many years ago, she added. Looming disaster Ms Anne Kahihia, warned of a looming disaster if destruction of Mau forest complex areas was not stopped. She said that KWS spends 250,000 kshs per month to provide water for the wildlife at the lake Nakuru national park. Water Levels in the Mara, famed for the annual wildebeest migration. Are very low. The spectacular event, listed as one of the new natural wonder of the world, was not dramatic this year because of low water levels. Daily Nation 3rd, Aug, 2009 LAKE FACES EXTINCTION AS FEEDER RIVERS DRY UP

The three feeders that feed the world famous lake Nakuru have dried up. This means that the salty lake is no longer a safe home for flamingoes, which have made the lake a leading tourist attraction. The drying of rivers Njoro,Makalia and Nderit has been blamed on the massive destruction of the Mau forest complex. River Molo, which also has its source in the Mau, no longer finds its way to Lake Baringo, another tourist attraction.
River Perkerra, popularly known for the irrigation schemes in the arid lower parts of Baringo is also dwindling, no thanks to environmental degradation in the Mau.
Perkerra originates from Lembus forest which is part of larger Mau forest Complex which has 22 blocks namely Likia, Eburru, Nessuinet, Logoman, Ndoinet, Bararget, Tinet, East Mau and Sururu among others. Other rivers that have been affected are Mara and Sondu. Kenya Wildlife Service assistant director in charge of central rift conservation area, Ms Anne Kahihia, said the lake might be extinct in five years.
“We had good rains last year and the rivers flowed for three months. That is the water that is sustaining the lake to date,” she said.
River Lamudiac, and underground water source inside the park, dried up many years ago, she added.
Looming disaster
Ms Anne Kahihia, warned of a looming disaster if destruction of Mau forest complex areas was not stopped. She said that KWS spends 250,000 kshs per month to provide water for the wildlife at the lake Nakuru national park.
Water Levels in the Mara, famed for the annual wildebeest migration. Are very low. The spectacular event, listed as one of the new natural wonder of the world, was not dramatic this year because of low water levels.

Daily Nation 3rd, Aug, 2009

]]> By: gerald http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-2098 gerald Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:41:36 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-2098 Thanks Daniel & Kipkurui for your comments. Kindly inbox on our email posted on this page so that I can get 1-on-1 with y'all. I would be glad to help in setting up of a similar initiative in the aberdare forest as well as have a vibrant FLF representation in America. Solomon... I'm happy with how all is going. The August even was a great success. We are coming to metipso soon. Thanks Daniel & Kipkurui for your comments. Kindly inbox on our email posted on this page so that I can get 1-on-1 with y’all.

I would be glad to help in setting up of a similar initiative in the aberdare forest as well as have a vibrant FLF representation in America.

Solomon… I’m happy with how all is going. The August even was a great success. We are coming to metipso soon.

]]> By: Kipkirui Tagi http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-2083 Kipkirui Tagi Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:18:40 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-2083 You guys are doing a great job. I would like us to get a friends of lembus forest chapter in North America to contribute to the efforts you already have established - Please advise. Gerald i can call you sometime to discus this further. Send # pse. You guys are doing a great job. I would like us to get a friends of lembus forest chapter in North America to contribute to the efforts you already have established – Please advise. Gerald i can call you sometime to discus this further. Send # pse.

]]> By: DANIEL CHEGE MUORIA http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-2022 DANIEL CHEGE MUORIA Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:52:20 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-2022 Guys you are doing a wonderful job.Initialy young people could not understand the importance of forest conservation.Now narture has taught everyone a lesson the hard way.Chao guyz we will re afforest all deserving forest for posterity.You have given me a challange to start a similar project in abardare starting NOW. Guys you are doing a wonderful job.Initialy young people could not understand the importance of forest conservation.Now narture has taught everyone a lesson the hard way.Chao guyz we will re afforest all deserving forest for posterity.You have given me a challange to start a similar project in abardare starting NOW.

]]> By: Kipkorir Chemirmir http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-1642 Kipkorir Chemirmir Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:02:05 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-1642 This initiative is a timely venture that needs the support of everyone because this is an issue touching on the very lifeline of our people. The continued destruction of the ecosystem is bound to have serious consequences not only on those living within the Mau compex but the entire East African region. Some times we may feel we are too small to do anything but just imagine if everyone one did the small part. Lets all join hands and we will surely make a difference. This initiative is a timely venture that needs the support of everyone because this is an issue touching on the very lifeline of our people. The continued destruction of the ecosystem is bound to have serious consequences not only on those living within the Mau compex but the entire East African region. Some times we may feel we are too small to do anything but just imagine if everyone one did the small part. Lets all join hands and we will surely make a difference.

]]> By: Solomon Birir http://ecokenya.org/flf-friends-of-the-lembus-forest/comment-page-1/#comment-1479 Solomon Birir Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:33:03 +0000 http://ecokenya.org/?page_id=36#comment-1479 I have been following your activities, As a environmentalists, I am also concerned about the pace of deforestation in and around Lembus Forest. I was born and raised in Metipso, some few km from Ravine, and I know what you are talking about. Though we might be far, lets maximize the social media to pass the word. Solo Birir I have been following your activities, As a environmentalists, I am also concerned about the pace of deforestation in and around Lembus Forest. I was born and raised in Metipso, some few km from Ravine, and I know what you are talking about. Though we might be far, lets maximize the social media to pass the word.

Solo Birir

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