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Back to Project Summary Page


Kenya Green Belt Movement

Biodiversity
The planting will be done on land located in the Aberdare Range forests. These forests host a high number of threatened fauna species and are internationally recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Although protected as a reserve, these forests are threatened by illegal logging and cultivation. These activities have been reducing the tree species diversity and are threatening the integrity of the natural ecosystems.

The planting will be implemented on relatively small areas each time and will not therefore lead to major benefits for the biodiversity. However, the use of native species will enrich local biodiversity. The Green Belt Movement (GBM) tries to use indigenous species as much as possible. Only 5% of the planting realized in the last three years was done using non-native species. The introduction of these non-native species corresponded to a demand by the local population. GBM used in such cases species that were very common in the area and that had been introduced over 20 years ago (e.g. Eucalyptus sp.). The same policy will be followed in this project. The project will use GBM's existing network, groups and nurseries to collect and germinate seeds and plant seedlings. Relying on these existing resources will ensure efficiency and that the seed collection process does not harm the existing natural forests.

The plantation of trees on lands surrounding the Reserve Forests in cooperation with the local communities is also likely to have a wider protective effect on the remaining natural forests. In addition, the trees planted will increase the existing suitable habitats and food sources for the local fauna. The plantation around numerous water catchments will participate to their protection and therefore to the protection of water supply and water flow regulation for the local fauna and flora.

Other Environmental Benefits and Risks
The project is targeting particularly steep sloped denuded lands. These lands are subject to an important erosion process. The reforestation of these areas will therefore have a major effect on the erosion process and consequently also on the sediment discharge in the rivers downhill.

The Aberdare Range, where the plantation will occur, also plays a critical role in water catchment for the country and is one of the five main "water towers" of Kenya. The reforestation of denuded lands within the Range will increase the protection of water catchments and enhance the water flow regulation.

Finally, the implication and capacity building of the local communities surrounding the Forest Reserves will improve local practices and have a beneficial effect on the local environment, although hard to quantify.

The environmental benefits from the project will be self-monitored on an annual basis by the GBM networks. This will be supplemented by detailed spot measurements by GBM personnel. Socio-economic benefits and risks
GBM has been working in the project area for several years and has built strong ties with the populations. During the implementation of the project, it will build on and extend its existing networks in the project area. These networks currently involve around 2,550 families from the Murang'a and Nyeri districts, which are areas in which the project will continue working.

Under the project, communities will form Community Forest Associations (CFAs) which are given access, traditional and other rights to sustainable management of Reserve Forests and Trust Lands. The CFAs will participate with the Forest Department and GBM in the selection of planting sites, and in the development of forest management plans for the duration of the project. Each planting will then be sponsored and planted by a CFA with input from the Forest Service. Through this process, the project will improve the local social organization and cohesiveness.

During the plantation phase, each CFA will receive an equivalent of around US$ 80 per hectare of planting at the condition that the planted trees survive. These payments will directly increase their income and will come in addition to potential carbon payments. They are significant in a region where the average income per person is less than a dollar per day. All financial benefits will be distributed using the existing organization from GBM and will be equal for all participants.

Communities will continually have access to planted areas for grazing and other agricultural purposes at the expressed condition that tree growth is not disturbed. In particular, they will be allowed to sustainably collect fodder and other agricultural commodities and potential fruit production from the trees.

Additionally, communities will be trained in seed collection, seedling propagation, and nursery management during the early stages of the project, and in forest management afterwards. This training is likely to also improve the management of the surrounding natural forests.

A monitoring plan will be developed during the preparation of the project to follow specifically community benefits. The existence of the CFAs will likely participate to their maintenance after completion of the project.

Leakage
The project has been designed to minimize leakage. In particular, all selected lands will be abandoned land or land used for grazing. Local communities will keep continuous access to planted areas for grazing at the expressed condition that tree growth is not disturbed. In particular, they will be allowed to sustainably collect fodder from trees. The collection of fodder will minimize the disturbance of the traditional grazing activities and should avoid the displacement of herders for grazing. The lands located on private lands in public areas such as school yards and churches have little economic value and are unlikely to lead to any leakage.

The strong involvement of the population in the project and particularly in the choice of the reforested lands will ensure that no involuntary displacements of people or economic activities occur.

Risk of Non Permanence
The most significant threats to the permanence of the trees planted are human interventions and cattle grazing. Illegal logging of indigenous trees is a major concern across the entire Aberdare Range. With over 5,700 head counted on the southern slope, livestock grazing represents a major threat to forest regeneration. The threat from grazing is especially acute during the first years of tree growth.

The project will respond to these threats through the strong community involvement and community benefits generated by the tree planted. Experience suggests that strong and continued community involvement is a very adequate measure. Benefits from the trees and the dependence of payments on the survival of trees are also major incentives for local populations.

The plantings within the Reserve Forests will receive additional protection from the national laws relative to the Reserve.

The planting will be distributed over a large area and will not be continuous. These characteristics, along with the incentives of CFAs to protect the trees, will mitigate the risk posed by fire.

Additionality
Deforested areas that have not been converted to agriculture tend to regenerate to low bushes and grasses rather than returning to natural forests. Many of the deforested lands are currently being used for illegal agriculture or grazing. Inside the Reserve these activities are forbidden by national laws but the laws are not correctly enforced.

Outside the Reserve, the utilization of lands for commercial tree plantation is unlikely because of their low economic value. There is already excess demand for commercial planting on other, more attractive lands.

The Forest Department at the moment lacks adequate funding and other resources for effective management of the forest resources. This department is also lacking knowledge in reforestation using indigenous species.

Finally, although the Green Belt Movement has been conducting planting activities in the region for several years, its funding capacities limit its intervention to an average of 1,500 ha per year. Nevertheless, to ensure that carbon financing does correspond to additional planting activities and does not divert GBM's regular financial resources, the first 1,500 ha of planting by GBM will not be eligible for carbon financing each year.

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