By Steve Khaemba, DevReporter, Nakuru County
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Human activities, including agriculture, illegal settlements, and industrial expansion threatens the green belt, a crucial ecosystem
- Corruption complicates enforcement, as some developers acquire title deeds for forestland through dubious means
- Environmental degradation poses risks to Nakuru’s tourism industry, particularly attractions like Lake Nakuru National Park.
Nakuru County’s green belt, a vital ecosystem of forests, wildlife habitats, and water catchment areas, is crucial for combating pollution and climate change. However, human activities like agriculture, industrial growth, and illegal settlements are posing a significant threa
The Green Belt Under Siege
In recent years, Nakuru’s green belt has been steadily eroding.
The complicated causes of this decline, such as population increase, land grabbing, and loose environmental restrictions, are highlighted by conservationist Stephen Mbuthia;
“The rate at which forest land is being converted to residential and agricultural use is alarming,” he says.
Over the past ten years, deforestation has dramatically increased, according to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Over 1,500 hectares of forest have been lost since 2015 due to encroachment and illegal logging.
Ranger Samuel Kamau (NOT HIS REAL NAME) notes that corruption complicates enforcement,
“Some developers acquire title deeds for forest land through dubious means, complicating our efforts.”
The rising demand for land has led many, especially from low-income households, to squat on forest territory for temporary homes or farming.
Ngaruia Elias, a 32-year-old living near Menengai Forest, expresses his desperation,
“I have no other place to go. Land is extremely expensive, and I need to support my family.”
These individual stories illustrate a broader issue, as agricultural practices disrupt ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. Some small-scale farmers even resort to burning vegetation to clear land, often resulting in destructive bushfires.
Impact on Wildlife and the Environment
Encroachment in the green belt is causing habitat shrinkage, forcing species like antelopes, baboons and various bird species to relocate, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict and potential injury.
Nakuru-based ecologist, DR. Peter Martim, emphasises the green belt’s role as a water catchment area and biodiversity hotspot.
“The green belt feeds into lakes and rivers essential to the hydrological cycle. Cutting down trees jeopardizes not only biodiversity, but the entire watershed,” she warns.
The decline of the green belt also poses a direct threat to Nakuru’s tourism, particularly attractions like Lake Nakuru National Park. Environmental degradation could deter tourists, subsequently impacting the local economy.
Government and Community Responses
Efforts to combat encroachment face challenges, including political opposition and funding shortage.
The Nakuru county administration has initiated programmes such as evictions and reforestation, to reclaim the green belt. However, many locals perceive these evictions as harsh and fail to consider the poverty driving encroachment.
The necessity of striking balance between environmental preservation and community needs is emphasised by the County’s Environment Officer. Speaking during tree planting day, the CECM Nakuru County, Hon Maara Nelson, discouraged residents from burning the forest for cultivation, further intimating that county administration has initiated programmes for evictions and reforestation to ensure that this does not continue.
“As pertaining environment conservation, we have come up with a number of legislations that will ensure that environment is conserved,” he said.
Many locals view these actions as harsh.
Additionally, neighbourhood organizations like Friends of the Forest Nakuru and Clean Green Earthlings, are taking action by supporting tree-planting initiatives and pushing for more robust conservation policies.
“We must instil a culture of environmental stewardship,” says representative Susan Wanjiku, “Balancing development and conservation are crucial; losing our forests endangers our future,” she concludes
Encroachers: Victims or Villains?
While encroachers are often labelled as the primary culprits of environmental degradation, many argue that they are victims of systemic failures. Economic inequality and a lack of affordable land drive people to encroach. Ngaruia Elias questions the government’s approach,
“Before blaming us, they should consider why people risk fines just to farm or live here, ” said he.
Yet not all encroachers are seeking subsistence; wealthier individuals exploit legal loopholes to acquire large plots for commercial agriculture or real estate. This dynamic underscores the need for stricter enforcement and legal reforms to close gaps allowing illegal land acquisition.
The Way Forward
Experts advocate a multifaceted approach to preserve Nakuru’s green belt, including sustainable economic initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and the enforcement of stricter land-use law.
Political will is also essential to confront those who illegally occupy forestland. DR. Martim argues for a paradigm shift,
“We need to see the green belt as a life-supporting system. The choices we make today will determine our children’s access to natural resources.”
Conclusion
The encroachment of Nakuru’s green belt presents a complex challenge intertwined with social, economic, and environmental issues. Effective solutions will require collaboration among the government, communities, and conservation organisations. As Nakuru navigates the tension between development and conservation, protecting the green belt is crucial to safeguarding the county’s ecological integrity
