This archive report was first published on 24 November 2019.
On November 24, 2019, Bomet County Government pledged its support for the conservation of Chepalungu Forest by allocating funds for the construction of a forest station in the area.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok signed the Transition Implementation Plans (TIPs) with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), solidifying the county's commitment to conservation efforts.
"As part of my Government's commitment, I have instructed the relevant department to initiate the procurement process for the construction of a forest station in Chepalungu Forest -Chesambai block in this financial year," said Barchok.
During the tree planting exercise, led by Chief Conservator of Forest Julius Kamau, 25,000 indigenous tree seedlings were planted as part of the rehabilitation of the degraded Chepalungu Forest Station (Singoroi Block).
So far, 250,000 seedlings have been planted in the ongoing restoration process of the 100Ha Chepalungu Forest.
The Vice-Chairman of the KFS Board, Peter Wandera, encouraged communities to adopt best farming practices that coincide with the KFS commitment of conservation towards the attainment of a 10 per cent tree cover by 2022.
Wandera also urged the youth in forest adjacent communities to join Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and carry out Income Generating Activities (IGAs) that will uplift their livelihoods.
The Chepalungu tree planting exercise coincided with the Inaugural 2019 awarding ceremony of eleven Community Forest Associations (CFAs) in Bomet, Nakuru and Narok Counties that have demonstrated remarkable record in forest protection, conservation, and management.
The award scheme, organised by the National Alliance of Community Forest Associations (NACOFA) with support from World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), KFS, East African Wildlife Society, and Kenya Forest Working Group aims to create public awareness on the importance of CFAs in forest protection, conservation, and management.
