Household Factors Affecting the Implementation of Forest Conservation Strategies: A Case of South Nandi Forest, Nandi County, Kenya ()
ABSTRACT
This
study found out that the majority of the locals are not employed. They may end up
encroaching into the forest for the activities that will generate some income
for them. The majority of the locals earn less than US dollars 100 which are
not enough to take care of their loved ones. Daily expenditure is not good
enough to satisfy their needs which are likely to tempt them to encroach into
the forest. The forest provides a good source of firewood since it is the source of fuel that
the locals mostly use, thus
inhibiting strategies that may lead to stopping them from over harvesting from
the forest. The study found out that for forest conservation to be effective,
more motivation is needed and more of training should be done to educate people
about the importance of forests, the need to conserve them and how to conserve
them. For better handling of the challenges on implementation of forest
conservation measures, there should be full involvement of local community in forest
conservation. Barazas are the ideal method of communication through which
information regarding forest conservation is gotten and they should make sure
that many people are involved in planning and implementation of forest
conservation activities. With more efforts from the relevant authorities, it’s easy to converse the
forest and make sure that tree planting is the best way of planning and
implementation of forest conservation activities. Through forest conservation
and proper management, the
forest can be very beneficial to many that stay around without destroying it.
The local authorities can use the available environmental groups to enlighten
the community on the importance of forest conservation. The study found out
deforestation through illegal logging, charcoal burning, and the encroachment of
forests for human settlement and agriculture.
These problems are compounded by illiteracy, poverty and rapid growth of the
human population. Promoting awareness campaigns is the best to counter
challenges in forest conservation. Men should not be taken to be sole decision
makers, which in turn hinders the implementation of forest
conservation measures. Women should be incorporated in the decision making
process.
Share and Cite:
Koech, C. (2020) Household Factors Affecting the Implementation of Forest Conservation Strategies: A Case of South Nandi Forest, Nandi County, Kenya.
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
8, 125-144. doi:
10.4236/jss.2020.86012.