University of Nairobi

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

M.A Environmental Planning and Management

Research Proposal:

ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO FOREST RESOURCE USE CONFLICTS-A CASE STUDY OF EBURU FOREST, KENYA

Rudolf Makhanu

C50/67679/2011

A Research Proposal Submitted to The University of Nairobi In Partial Fulfillment of A Masters of Arts Degree In Environmental Planning and Management

Signature______Date______

Supervisors:

Prof. Odingo and Dr. Thuita Thenya

1

ABSTRACT

Kenya’sclosed forest cover has been reducing and now stands at a critical 1.7% of the total land area, far below the recommended 10%(GOK, 2010). The rate of forest loss is estimated at 12,000 ha annually (KFS,2012). Human population and demand for forest ecosystem based services and goods have been increasing. In a bid to reverse the situation, forest management in Kenya has undergone a paradigm shift, that has seen adoption of a decentralized system. This has seen creation of new structures to take on decentralized authority and responsibilities.

Whiledecentralization of natural resource management is aimed at increasing service efficiency, democracy, devolution of power over the disposition of resources, improve community livelihoods and manage divergent multi-stakeholder interests while ensuring equity of costs and benefits, forests related conflicts are on the increase, as witnessed in Mau forest complex. Damage and losses brought about by such conflicts is significant. The Mau complex has lost over 107,000 hectares representing approx.25 percent of forest cover due to encroachment, ill-planned and irregular settlements, as well as illegal forest resources extraction. Encroachment has occasioned the destruction of approximately 46,122 hectares of indigenous forests(ICS, 2009) Resources invested in managing conflicts is equally significant, yet conflicts persist, compromising conservation initiatives.

Competition over dwindling common pool resources, weak governance structures, poverty, poor information sharing and competing land uses could be among factors contributing to forest resource use in Eburu.This study sets foughtto assess factors that contribute to forest resource use conflicts and their manifestation in Eburu area as well as opportunities for conflict management. The study area is purposively selected because it’s a conflict hotspot and lies within one of the largest water towers in Kenya.Data will be collected both from primary and secondary sources. Primary data will be obtained through use of structured questionnaires focused group discussions, key informants and direct observation. Among the research hypotheses is that different factors interact to contribute to forests resource use conflicts in Eburu, and that there exists opportunities for conflict resolution within Eburu Forest

This study employs Barnes’ (2005) model or method that defines: “Conflict asoccurring when two or more parties (individuals or groups) have – or perceive that they have – incompatible goals and this perception of incompatibility shape their attitudes and behaviors toward each other”. Findings of the study will fill the knowledge gap as relates effective management of forests resource use conflicts, and specifically make recommendations that will inform the on-going forest sector reform process.

1.0background

Eburu Forest, is an indigenous gazetted forest measuring 8,715.3 hectares and located in Nakuru District, Rift Valley province of Kenya. It is one of the 22 forest blocks constituting Mau Forest Complex, an important water catchment (one of the five Kenya’s water towers). It is under the management and responsibility of the Kenya Forest Service, jointly with the community under Participatory Forest Management approach (PFM), that is defined as an arrangement where key stakeholders enter into mutually enforceable agreements that define their respective roles, responsibilities, benefits and authority in the management of defined forest resources (KFWG, 2007) The reserve borders Ol Jorai Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) in the North, Loldia farm to the East and Ndabibi ADC in the South (Fig. 1). The eastern part of the forest is in Naivasha sub-district while the northern western portion is in Gilgil division. The forest lies between longitudes 360 05’ and 360 and 16’ East and latitudes 00 40’and 00 41’ South. Eburu forest is found on a raised volcanic complex, with altitude rising from about 2,400 m to 2,800m. It was gazetted in 1932 under proclamation (legal notice) No. 44 of 1932, and has several craters, and is still volcanically active as evidenced by many steam jets in the forest especially on Eburru side.

The forest overlooks Lake Elementaita and two other lakes that have been classified as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention; i.e. Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha. It supports diverse fauna and flora with some being endemic. As per findings of a vegetation survey conducted by Kenya Forests Working Group in 2002, that involved stratification of vegetation types, sampling to determine species composition, density, species distribution, and estimation of cover and uses within the eburu forest area, three vegetation types identified were Forest Edge Vegetation, Central Forest Area Vegetation and farmland vegetation. The rapid inventory and assessment yielded a total of 71 taxa in 45 families. These were classified under growth habits as 22 tree species, 18 shrubs, 16 climbers ( or scandent shrubs/lianes), 10 herbs and 5 epiphytes (mainly orchids) (ECOFA, 2008)

Overall, the forest plays an essential role as a national and international watershed, providing ecosystem services that conserve biodiversity, support livelihoods locally, regionally and internationally, sustain economic development, and contribute to mitigating and adapting to global climate change

In recent years, given the high conservation value and increasing degradation trend, the Government of Kenya (GoK) has taken significant steps towards addressing the challenge. A new forest policy and law were adopted in 2005. The forest law has placed significant emphasis on co‐management of forest resources with local communities and the private sector and lays the foundation for the strict control of logging and human settlements. As a further sign of its commitment, the Government established a 30‐member Task Force (reporting to the Prime Minister) whose responsibility was to study and make recommendations to GoK on the immediate, short‐ and long‐term options for restoring the entire Mau Forests Complex. The Task Force completed its work and submitted recommendations to the Government in March 2009. GoK is committed to reversing the continued environmental destruction of the Mau in line with its medium and long‐term national development plans, articulated in “Vision 2030” (ICS, 2009). Figure 1 below captures components of Mau Complex Recovery and Restoration program by the government of Kenya.

Figure 1: Visual representation of the components and sub‐components of the Mau Forests Program.

ICS, 2010

Considerable efforts have been made by KFS to move from the previous centralised, top-down,forest management model towards devolution of rights and responsibilities to the local-level, and toestablish joint forest management systems.This however has had minimal impact on addressing resource use conflicts in Eburu.

2.0 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Kenya’sclosed forest cover has been reducing and now stands at a critical 1.7% of the total land area, far below the recommended 10%. The rate of forest loss is estimated at 12,000 ha annually.In the year 2000-2012, deforestation in Kenya’s Water Towers amounted to an estimated 50,000 hectares (Jackie C., et al 2012). The human population however and demand for forest based services and goods has been increasing. Deforestation is estimated to cost the country Ksh. 6Billion annually according to a recent survey undertaken by UNEP jointly with the Government of Kenya(Jackie C., et al 2012). Eburu forest is under increasing threat from irregular and ill‐planned settlements, encroachments and illegal forest resource exploitation. Over the last decades, approx. 25% of Mau forest complex of which Eburu forest forms part, has been lost to excisions and encroachment (ICS, 2009)

Continued destruction of Eburu forest and the wider Mau complex is leading to a water crisis: perennial rivers are becoming seasonal, storm flow and downstream flooding are increasing, in some places the aquifer has dropped by 100 meters while wells and springs are drying up. In addition there are global concerns resulting from loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon dioxide emissions as a result of forest cover loss. Poor soil and water resources conservation practices of the deforested land is causing soil erosion and decreasing crop yields in an area of high agricultural potential; on the commercial tea estates, yields are being affected by micro‐climatic changes (ICS, 2009).Declining biodiversity and increased forest destruction indicates absence of good resource use systems, with hostility among resource users escalating. Pastoralists regard the forest as dry season pasture reserve, and sneak livestock to grass in the forest, in the process trampling and browsing young seedlings planted by local community. Charcoal burners are known to be in conflict with eco-tourim operators as they cause forest fires. Eco-tourism bandas that had been constructed inside the forest were at one time razed down out of an act of arson. The relationship between the local CFA and KFS forester is strained, with the forester accused of colluding with charcoal burners.

Ability of key institutions to competently undertake their mandates is known to be critical factor in fueling or managing conflicts. ICS notes that the existing situation in the Mau has arisen because a number of institutionshave failed to play their respective mandated roles, reforming these institutionssuch that theyare able to play their (now much larger) role in restoring and rehabilitating the Complex, andthen in managing and conserving it in future (GOK, 2010)”

It is against this background that Kenya introduced a paradigm shift in the management of its forests. This has seen adoption of decentralized system of forest management. A new legislation, the Forests Act 2005 was enacted, that among others created new structures to take on decentralized authority and responsibilities, and grants user rights to encourage community participation. Decentralization was seen as part of a wider reform process aimed at improving forest management.

However forests related conflicts have persisted, compromising forest conservation effort and investments. These forests related conflicts as witnessed in the Mau ecosystem have led to ethnic clashes resulting to injuries, displacement of human settlements and loss of human life, destruction of property, massive loss of forests through arson induced forest fires, and general loss of biodiversity.

Key Conflicts elements and factors that could be at play in Eburu forest include conflicting interests, information issues, difficult relationships, structural issues and conflicting values among others.

PFM model of forest management provides for broad stakeholder participation in conservation. However Lack of consensus in situations where there are in-compatibilities in stakeholders' interests, values, or priorities fuels conflicts.Furthermore, a deeper understanding of different stakeholder over common pool resources does not guarantee that policy negotiations will result in win-win scenarios.This may result in smooth path towards consensus in situations where there are in-compatibilities in stakeholders' interests, values, or priorities. Management effectiveness will always be limited by incomplete knowledge and understanding of complex natural and social systems. Our type of reasoning will not help if decisions are driven by the unilateral political will or the economic power of particular stakeholders (William M, Adam et al 2003)

This study therefore aims to establish factors contributing to forests resource use conflicts in Eburu, Nakuru county. It s main objective is to assess factors that contribute to resource use conflicts, and identify Opportunities and recommendations for managing Eburu Forest.

3.0 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study is guided by the following key questions:

a)To identify the types of forest resource use conflicts in Eburu forest

  • What is the nature of forest related conflicts?
  • How do the conflicts manifest?
  • Where do they occur, and does their occurrence have a pattern

b)To investigate factors that triggers and cause escalation of forest resource use conflicts

  • What are the factors that contribute to forest resource use conflicts
  • What factors lead to escalation of forest resource use conflicts

c)To Identify opportunities for conflict resolution in Eburu forest

  • What rules are in place to govern access to forest resources and benefit sharing
  • What community structures are in place for regulating access to forest resources?
  • What conflict management structures are in place for handling forest related conflicts?

4.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Broad objective

To assess factors that contribute to forest resource use conflicts and their manifestation in Eburu area as well as opportunities for conflict management

Specific Objectives

  1. To identify the different types of forest related conflicts in Eburu forest
  2. To investigate factors that contribute to forest resource use conflicts
  3. To Identify opportunities for conflict resolution in Eburu forest

5.0 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The study will be guided by the following hypotheses

  1. Conflicts that occur within Eburu forest are forest resource use related
  2. Different factors interact to contribute to forests resource use conflicts in Eburu
  3. There exists opportunities for conflict resolution within Eburu Forest

6.0 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

The montane forests of Kenya, better known as Kenya’s “Water Towers”, produce direct economic value for its citizens. This value accrues not only from the production of various timber- and non –timber forest products, but also from a range of regulating ecosystem service that provide an insurance value to several key economic sectors. (Jackie C., et al, 2012)

The need to increase forest cover and reduce forest destruction and degradation has been recognized in Kenya (DRSRS and KFWG,2006). Increased conflicts and degradation of Kenya’s water towers has seen the gazzetment of Kenya Water Towers Agency.The Mau Complex, of which Eburu forest forms part, is the largest closed‐canopy forest ecosystem in Kenya, as large as the forests of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdares combined. It is the single most important water catchment in Rift Valley and western Kenya. Through the ecological services provided by its forests, the Mau Complex is a natural asset of national and international importance. It supports key economic sectors in Rift Valley and western Kenya, including energy, tourism, agriculture (cash crops such as tea and rice, subsistence crops, and livestock) and water supply. The Mau Complex is particularly important for two of the country’s three largest foreign currency earners: tea and tourism (GOK, 2010)

Intact forests and woodlands provide a range of ecosystem services such as maintenance of water supply and quality, carbon sequestration, and a host of other benefits derived from biodiversity. Kenya’s economy has a very strong dependence on the natural environment and in particular, forestry resources. Forestry underpins most sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, tourism, wildlife, and the energy. In some rural areas, for instance, the forests contribute over 75% of the cash income and provide almost all of household’s energy requirements. More important, forests are key in regulating the world’s climate system( ICS, 2009). George O. Krhoda (1988) established that the effective use of forested mountain lands depends on whether or not the forests are cleared without causing soil erosion, increased flooding, sedimentation of reservoirs, and reduced groundwater table. This indicates that proper management of land use could assist in minimizing conflicts.

However, Kenya losses about 54,000 hectares of forest cover every year. Kenya’sclosed forest cover has been reducing and now stands at a critical 1.7% of the total land area, far below the recommended 10%. It is widely held that up to 20% of current global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to deforestation, especially in the tropics. When trees are growing, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but when they are chopped down they release all the carbon into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a leading heat trapping /green house gas that significantly contribute to global warming and associated effects of climate change.

The market value of goods and services generated annually in the tea, tourism and energy sectors alone—to which the forests of the entire Mau Complex have contributed—is in excess of KShs 20 billion (US$271 million). This does not reflect provisional services such as water supply to urban areas or support to rural livelihoods, in particular in the Lake Victoria basin outside the tea growing areas. This figure also does not reflect potential economic development in the catchments of the Mau Complex, in particular in the energy sector. The estimated potential hydropower generation in the Mau catchments is approximately 535 megawatts, representing 41% of the current total electricity generation capacity of Kenya (GOK, 2010)

To supplement locally produced timber a total of 29,100m3 of softwood timber was imported to Kenya from Malawi and Tanzania and 5,900m3 of hardwood from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Southern Sudan (KFS, 2012). This large volume of timber imports confirms excess pressure indigenous forests are facing in Kenya.

The desire to secure an assured futurefor Eburu forest, in the face of growing resource use conflicts, has attracted the attention of many stakeholders. The interventions of most of these stakeholders, however has not been holistic in approach, hence fueling further conflicts. A case at hand is the on-going construction of an electric fence around Eburu forest, courtesy of Rhino Ark aimed at securing it and reversing the degradation trend. Unless the needs and interests of key stakeholders are given due consideration, such as dry season grazing for pastoralists, the noble investment of erecting the fence could fuel and not address resource use conflicts.

In 2010, Kenya Forest Service issued a total of 56 research permits authorizing research on various forest reserves (KFS, 2011). However none of these research targets Eburu forest.

Research is essential for effective management of forest resource use conflicts due to their complex nature. One cannot, therefore, simply analyze the economic interests of different claimants to rights over a defined re-source. Different people will see different resources in a landscape. They will perceive different procedures appropriate for reconciling conflict. Moreover, perceptions will change, because different elements within the landscape will be-come "resources."For example, a market may develop for something previously regarded locally as useless or destructive of value, such as wildlife tourism. In these situations, the realm of conflict between beneficiaries and others will be both cognitive and material(William M, Adam et al 2003)