Assessment of forest use and value of forest resources to local communities in Maasai Mau forest, Narok County

Abstract

This study explores the assessment of forest use and the value of forest re sources to local communities, focusing on the Maasai Mau Forest area in Narok County, Kenya. The Maasai Mau Forest, inhabited predominantly by the Maa sai community, serves as a vital ecosystem, providing resources essential for livelihoods, cultural practices, and ecological sustainability. However, the for est faces numerous challenges, including deforestation, land degradation, and competing land uses, threatening its ecological integrity and the well-being of local inhabitants. The findings indicate that the respondents acquired fire wood, timber, charcoal, honey, medicine, poles, thatch grass, fruits, animal fodder, agricultural tools, murram, building stones, mushrooms, and water from the Mau Forest. The primary purpose of establishing the Masaai Mau re serve was to conserve the environment and biodiversity. The Maasai Mau For est needs to be well-conserved since some species of trees/plants/ animals have disappeared over the years. Tree planting, fencing, i.e., electric fencing; tight ening security measures, i.e., employing more security, scouting, planting trees of different species, educating locals on the importance of forest conservation and reforestation; prevent/stop people from encroachment, create policies that govern the restoration, training on importance of eco-tourism, avoid grazing inside the forest, avoid deforestation and formation of CBOs to engage in tree planting are the best way of conserving Maasai Mau forest.