Background Kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%
description
Transcript of Background Kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%
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Rehabilitation of degraded river-line in Rehabilitation of degraded river-line in Mount Kenya RegionMount Kenya Region
**Njeru R W, Wambugu F, Kagunda J, Wamahiu Njeru R W, Wambugu F, Kagunda J, Wamahiu P & Mutahi E P & Mutahi E
Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation InternationalAfrica Harvest Biotech Foundation InternationalP O Box 642-00621, Nairobi, KenyaP O Box 642-00621, Nairobi, Kenya
22ndnd World congress of Agroforestry Nairobi Kenya, 22-28 World congress of Agroforestry Nairobi Kenya, 22-28thth August 2009 August 2009
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Background Background
Kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%Kenya forest cover stands around 1.7%
Deforestation effect : Flooding, uncontrolled Deforestation effect : Flooding, uncontrolled erosion & excessive siltation of Hydro-electric erosion & excessive siltation of Hydro-electric damsdams
Major water towers degraded & include:Major water towers degraded & include:
Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Cherangani hills, Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Cherangani hills, Mau complex & Mt Elgon Mau complex & Mt Elgon
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High dependency on wood fuel: High dependency on wood fuel: domestic usage domestic usage contributes to contributes to
deforestation deforestation
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High dependency on wood High dependency on wood products-products-contributes to contributes to
degradationdegradation
Power distribution poles, timber for construction & Power distribution poles, timber for construction & furniturefurniture
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River Rutui-mount Kenya water towerRiver Rutui-mount Kenya water tower ImportanceImportance source of source of 55 registered water intakes 55 registered water intakes
belonging to farmer groups, institutions and belonging to farmer groups, institutions and coffee factories. coffee factories.
supplies water to >supplies water to >1258 rural households 1258 rural households plus population of Kerugoya town. plus population of Kerugoya town.
7 micro hydro power plants power 7 micro hydro power plants power to localto local Tributary of river Thiba which drains into Tributary of river Thiba which drains into
River River Tana-seven folks damsTana-seven folks dams River Thiba source of water Mwea rice schemeRiver Thiba source of water Mwea rice scheme
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ChallengesChallenges Population whose livelihood depend on waters Population whose livelihood depend on waters
from River Rutui were concerned from River Rutui were concerned why?why?
Declining water volumes resulting inDeclining water volumes resulting in1.1. Water RationingWater Rationing
2.2. Micro-hydro dams running below capacity-Micro-hydro dams running below capacity-less power generatedless power generated
Water pollution.Water pollution.1.1. Increased cases of water borne diseasesIncreased cases of water borne diseases
2.2. School absentee due to water related sickness School absentee due to water related sickness
3.3. Water unfit for household use- look for other Water unfit for household use- look for other distant sources & more time in search of waterdistant sources & more time in search of water
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Problem diagnosis & action Problem diagnosis & action 1.1. Villagers sought help from Villagers sought help from Water Resource Water Resource
Management AuthorityManagement Authority (WRMA) & (WRMA) &
2.2. Outcome formation of River Rutui users Outcome formation of River Rutui users association & leaders of all 17 villages association & leaders of all 17 villages represented.represented.
3.3. Formed core team- Members of the community, Formed core team- Members of the community, Riparian land owners WRMA, Kenya Forest Riparian land owners WRMA, Kenya Forest Service, Ministry of Agriculture & thenService, Ministry of Agriculture & then
4.4. Walked along river-lines Walked along river-lines River Rutui & 5 River Rutui & 5 tributaries tributaries (Gaturu, Icere, Kirogo, Mutuangunyi, (Gaturu, Icere, Kirogo, Mutuangunyi, Kanyiriri and Riagatogo)-58 km Kanyiriri and Riagatogo)-58 km
5.5. Shared findings & resolutions reached in barazaShared findings & resolutions reached in baraza
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Major problems & solutionsMajor problems & solutions
25 illegal furrows directing water to the farms –Those bordering Raparian - resolved to stop diverting water illegally (left)
Garages close to river damping waste into the river-practice ceased (right)
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Wrong- exotic tree species planted close to Wrong- exotic tree species planted close to river-line & cultivation close to river bankriver-line & cultivation close to river bank
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Organisations directed Raw sewage into the river (schools, Hospital, council & coffee factoriesOrganisations directed Raw sewage into the river (schools, Hospital, council & coffee factories
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Problem diagnosis & action contd Problem diagnosis & action contd
Pit latrines constructed close to the riverPit latrines constructed close to the river Cattle sheds build close to the river & Cattle sheds build close to the river &
polluting the waterspolluting the waters Cultivating close to the river-lineCultivating close to the river-line
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Rehabilitation-Implementation strategy Rehabilitation-Implementation strategy Partnership with collaborators
Ministry of energy centers Kenya Forest service Water Resource Management Authority Ministry of Agriculture Tree Biotechnology Project Trust Kenya Forestry Research Institute Private & public nurseries Micro-finance institutions Local communities
Empowered communities to raise seedlings
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River Rutui River Rutui Site matching Site matching
planted >25,000 planted >25,000 indigenous trees indigenous trees & & fruit treesfruit trees
Users associationUsers association Police the river linePolice the river line
Protect trees & > Protect trees & > 90% survival90% survival
Ensure there is Ensure there is no pollution in the no pollution in the riverriver
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Leaders & community involvementLeaders & community involvement
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RESULTSRESULTSIncreased water supply - Micro hydropower plantsIncreased water supply - Micro hydropower plants
Clean energy source for over 400 households
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Benefits:• Radio & charging mobile phones
At George Kimotho’s home in Dodo Location in Kirinyaga
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Before and…Before and…
AfterAfter
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Current status River RutuiCurrent status River Rutui
Clean waterHigh quality seeds Training on tree agronomy & group governance
Benefits
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Key outcomes of the InterventionKey outcomes of the Intervention1.1. Regular supply of clean water- no rationingRegular supply of clean water- no rationing
2.2. Reduce incidence of water borne diseasesReduce incidence of water borne diseases
3.3. Improved school attendance Improved school attendance
4.4. Micro-hydro dams fully functional- electricity supply to Micro-hydro dams fully functional- electricity supply to 400 households400 households
5.5. Income from sale of seedlingsIncome from sale of seedlings
6.6. Improved skills- tree manangementImproved skills- tree manangement
7.7. >90% tree establishment>90% tree establishment
8.8. Cultivation close to river bank ceasedCultivation close to river bank ceased