Eastern Africa Coastal Forest Programme: Regional Workshop ...

• Have been and are used as places of prayer and burial
• Linked to historical and mythical mijikenda sequence of occupation
BIODIVERSITY
Seven of the 20 coastal forest sites with the greatest conservation value are kaya
forests although kayas cover less than 10% of the coastal forest area.
THREATS
Agricultural encroachment, resort development, mining, polecutting
RESPONSE
• Govt. Began gazettement of kayas as national monuments, from early 90s
• NMK coastal forest conservation unit (CFCU) was formed to care for kayas with
local communities
• International support secured for CFCU conservation activities (from WWF since
1992)
NMK / COASTAL FOREST CONSERVATION UNIT
WWF PROJECT KE 0074 ACHIEVEMENTS
1992-94 / 1995-2001
• 16 sites demarcated and surveyed, gazetted as national monuments bringing total
to 39
• A system of community guards selected by local Kaya elders was established
• Facilitated the review of national heritage law by sharing lessons learnt from
community conservation activities
• Many rare and endemic species identified and catalogued. 48 sites covered. Over
3000 taxa in database
• Catalysed a revival of local community interest in traditional kaya culture
• An intensive awareness programme among schools and youth and general public
• Facilitated the formation of active kaya conservation groups
• Treeplanting and beekeeping activities promoted. Ecotourism potential explored
• Worked closely with other govt. Departments and non-governmental
organizations on forest conservation issues
KAYA AND KENYA COASTAL FOREST CONSERVATION:
THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
• Developing a collaboration framework for institutions and community groups
involved in kaya and coastal forest conservation.
• Exploiting the evolving policy and legal environment favouring community
participation
• Strengthening local community organizations to undertake conservation and
development activities
Eastern Africa Coastal Forests - 48 - Workshop Report, Nairobi February 4-7 2002