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The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has clarified that the recent removal of non-native tree species in Karura Forest along Limuru Road is a routine part of forest management, addressing concerns raised on social media about potential environmental damage.
After a viral video showing tree-cutting in Karura circulated online, some users voiced their worries about the logging’s environmental effects.
In response, KFS emphasized that this activity is a standard aspect of its plantation management, specifically targeting mature exotic tree species.
KFS stated in a release on October 29, “Claims on social media suggesting that the removal of exotic trees in Karura Forest constitutes destruction are unfounded.”
The agency reassured the public that the removal of these trees aligns with the Karura Forest Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP), created in collaboration with the Community Forest Association (CFA) and Friends of Karura Forest (FKF). This plan aims to gradually replace exotic trees with native species to restore parts of the forest.
KFS confirmed that all protocols for disposing of plantation materials have been followed, and the replanting efforts include site cleaning, removal of invasive species, and planting native trees, shrubs, and climbers suitable for Karura’s ecosystem.
The restoration program began over six years ago but was halted in 2018 due to a government moratorium on logging in public forests. With the lifting of the ban, KFS has resumed its efforts, focusing on phasing out eucalyptus and cypress species in specific areas.
