Socio-Economic Factors Influencing the Conservation of Cherang'any Forest in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya.
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Date
2023
Authors
Solomon, Mang’ira K.
James, Koske K.
Richard, Kerich K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AJEST
Abstract
Globally, forests make up an approximately 30% of the world's total land area with an
estimated 11% being traditionally managed production landscapes. Presently, Kenya forest
cover is about 7.5% which is significantly smaller than the desired minimum of 10.0% land
areas. Forest ecosystems face significant challenge from a combination of human –
ecological factors arising from the confluence between the andropological and
environmental factors. Due to the depletion in the forest cover in Kenya, the study examined
the various socio-economic factors influencing the conservation of Cherang’any forest,
Elgeiyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. The study targeted 343 individuals from 343 households
from which 300 individuals were randomly sampled from the boundaries of the forest zone
and purposively sampled 43 key informants. The study instruments comprised of
observations, interviews and questionnaires. The qualitative data obtained from the study
was analyzed thematically and used to develop a questionnaire from which quantitative data
was drawn. Based on a Cronbach’s coefficient value ≥ 0.70, the questionnaire was
considered reliable. The findings indicated that socio-political factors that are largely
related to the historical colonial legacy of protectionist environmental policies have largely
influenced the current conservation policy and this has led to communal conflict and ethnic
identification with conservation. The study recommends that the Forest Conservation and
Management Act of 2016 of Kenya, should help the Sengwer community in the establishment
of Community Forest Associations. The research recommended a further inquiry into the
influence of socio-economic variables on the low sense of forest ownership and management
among local communities in Kenya.
Description
Article
Keywords
Forest Management, Indigenous Environmental Knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge, Natural Resource Management (NRM)
Citation
Mang’ira, S., Koske, J., & Kerich, R. (2023, April 5). Socio-Economic Factors Influencing the Conservation of Cherang’any Forest in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya. African Journal of Education,Science and Technology, 7(3), Pg 1-12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2022/ajest.v7i3.829