Mau conservation efforts receives backing from the Queen

Mau conservation efforts have received a massive boost after Mau forest got admitted to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. The QCC is a project aimed at preserving the indigenous forests of countries within the Commonwealth umbrella. This initiative was set up in 2015 to mark the Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

The Mau conservation efforts have however been a contentious issue over the last decade. The efforts have perpetually been marred by the intrusion of politics into the matter, making it a thorn in the flesh of every politician that touches on it.

This time attempts to relocate squatters from the Mau forest is one of the key causes of the rift within the government of the day. In 2019, the government relocated 60,000 people in a bid to reclaim part of the Mau land. This exercise was however not too well received by leaders from the Mau region.

Mau Forest

The Mau Forest complex is the largest, most important water tower in Kenya  It covers 455,000 hectares of land, and comprises of 22 forest blocks. However, out of the 22 blocks, the Maasai Mau Forest block is the most degraded and endangered.

As a result, the Mau conservation efforts facilitated by QCC intends to revive the lost tree cover and the widely varied ecosystem within this block. The Chief Conservator of Forests has welcomed the move and terms the move as a great milestone. Mr. Peter Kinyua, Chairman of the Kenya Forest Service also reiterated that this is a great funding opportunity. He went on to say this admission will be a necessary supplement to government efforts.

The Mau conservation efforts come after Singapore dedicated 6 hectares of the Singapore Botanic gardens. The Kenyan government hope that a similar result will be received by the end of the exercise.

Also Read; 40 elephants displaced after Mau Forest fire