Reforestation in Aberdare Forest Complex & National Park area, Kenya

About the Project

The implemented project activity involved the reforestation of 1,694 hectares of unstocked land within the Aberdare Forest Range in the Republic of Kenya. These unstocked compartments/sub-compartments within the gazetted forest under the jurisdiction of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) were clear-felled or deforested before December 31, 1989, due to constraints such as funding shortages, labor scarcity, and infrastructure limitations, marking them as backlog areas. The project, aimed at planting in the identified backlog area, was implemented with funding provided to the Kenya Forest Service through project participants, considering future carbon revenue. The project activity was developed under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention onClimate Change.

 

The Aberdare Forest Range, situated within four counties – Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, and Nyandarua – forms part of the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley, representing the largest remaining near-continuous block of montane indigenous forest in East Africa. It is crucial for water catchments and energy generation in Kenya. However, the Aberdare Forest Range (AFR) had declined over the years to approximately 216,200 hectares due to anthropogenic intervention.

 

The project activity involved commercial plantation in the unstocked compartments/sub-compartments of the backlog area of AFR and its restoration through continual effective forest management practices. The proposed plantation activity aimed to restore the backlog area, prevent further degradation, and enhance the overall sustainability of the natural resource, community development, and income generation activity.

Benefits

 

  1. Restored Timber Stock: Commercial plantation replenished gazetted forest’s timber resources.
  2. Environmental Preservation: Reduced degradation, enhanced soil quality, prevented erosion, boosted carbon pool.
  3. Community Development: PELIS scheme empowered locals, fostered sustainable development within limits.
  4. Government Support: Ministry of Finance backed project, advancing sustainability.
  5. Community Involvement: Members of Community Forest Associations led plantation, ensuring local ownership.
  6. Kenya Forest Service Assistance: Provided training, communication, supplies, and ongoing support for conservation under PELIS guidelines.

Credits available

Standard

CDM

Annual Emission Removal

18,000
tCO2e

Type

AFOLU

Location

Kenya