Framework for forest management partnership for joint forest management: The case of Arabuko-Sokoke forest- Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya people centred forestry is a new concept beginning to be recognised. The current forest policy's main objective is oriented for protecting the resource through policing to keep away other stakeholders especially the forest adjacent communities who are viewed as the cause of forest destruction. The professionals (Foresters, Researchers, Economists, Planners, etc) involved in Kenya's forestry sector management are seriously reconsidering the countrys' forest policy in the light of changes that are taking place in both Kenya and outside world. They are also attempting to draw in the experiences of Nepal and India on the planning and implementing people-centred forestry. This has led to two major changes: one is the development of the Kenya forestry master plan. The other is proposed new policy that will support multi-stakeholder partnerships in forest management, allowing the implementation of pilot forestry projects where several stakeholders are participating. Arabuko-Sokoke forest is one of the forests where this approach is being tried. The dissertation outlines the alternative management approaches that will facilitate partnerships in forest management as means to check forest resource degradation and ensuring the interests of all the stakeholders are catered for with specific reference to the management of Arabuko-Sokoke forest (ASF). The case study draws from the one and half years experience of the authors work in Arabuko-Sokoke forest and from the experience of planning and implementing Joint Forest Management programme (JFM) in India and Community Forest Management (CFM) in Nepal. The dissertation then looks into the various issues facing the management of Arabuko-Sokoke forest. It analysis the various stakeholders, their interests and perceived values of ASF. It then looks into ways in which these different stakeholders could be brought together to develop a partnership for the management of the resource. It is proposed that the best approach, under the current circumstances, would be to create the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Management Forum (ASFMF), whereby the interests of these different stakeholders will be taken into consideration. Attempts are also made to define the roles of these different stakeholders in the management of ASF. The implications of all this for the future management of ASF in particular and forest resource of Kenya in general are discussed at the end.