Implementing sustainable environmental management in developing countries: a case study of community participation in forest management in Kenya

Abstract

Environmental sustainability has become increasingly important as we witness more extreme weather changes, global warming and environmental degradation. As the world population grow the need for more resources increase and forest resource is one of the public good which is adversely affected. The increasing industrial activities over the years do not consider the resulting environmental degradation such as water, air and land pollution. Many ecosystems have been affected to the point where they can no longer withstand or recover from disasters resulting from human activities. Sustainable forest management encompasses the administrative, legal, technical, economic, social and environmental aspects of the conservation and use of forests. Therefore there is need to increase forest cover and reduce forest destruction and degradation in Kenya. The Government has recognized the critical role to be played by forest-adjacent communities in ensuring that forest cover in the country increases from the current two percent to the recommended ten percent. The local communities constitute the core of these actors. Where the local communities depend heavily on forest resources, their involvement in forest management is essential and without effective mechanisms and strategies to ensure local level participation in forest management, there cannot be sustainability of forest resources. This study interrogates environmental sustainability in respect to community participation in forest management in Kenya and suggests policy recommendations on the best strategies to manage forest resources in Kenya.