Following my post on 25th November about the new threat of charcoal burning in Shimoni Forest, and concerns that you shared with us about it, I am pleased to be able to update you with some very encouraging news already! Having started reporting what we observe in terms of clear felling and now the alarming number of charcoal ovens that have sprung up, to Kenya Forest Service, they are taking an active interest.

Above: The type of tree often targeted for timber, it’s height and canopy size mean that felling it can create a huge clearing as it takes down neighbouring trees

Just over a week ago a Forestry Officer came down to Shimoni to see for himself the scale of clear felling near Transect 1. Yesterday he sent four rangers down, to investigate the charcoal burning on Transect 6. They were dismayed not only by the charcoal burning which they confirmed was all illegal, but also the clear felling of land and the cutting of timber.

Above: Saw pit on Transect 6, where timber is cut in to planks before being carried out the forest

The four rangers dismantled five of the charcoal ovens and apprehended one of the charcoal burners they came across in the forest. At our request they took him to the village chairman to decide what action to take - an important process in ensuring that it is the local community taking the active role in managing their forest.

Above: The gap left by a used charcoal oven in Shimoni Forest

We are currently supporting the formation of a new community based organisation to spearhead community conservation and management of their forest and I look forward to introducing you to ‘Friends of Shimoni Forest’ very soon. Watch this space!

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Kenya may be most famous for its incredible big game and open savanna, but its coastal forests, although small, are no less significant for wildlife conservation. The Eastern Africa Coastal Forests Ecoregion is in fact the smallest of 25 Global Biodiversity Hotspots but contains the highest density of endemic plant and vertebrate animal species.

Above: one of the Colobus monkeys spotted during Friday’s survey

After two years, it is still a great privilege for me to know that a short walk from my office could bring the opportunity to watch the beautiful Angolan Black and White Colobus monkeys in the canopy above me, or a glimpse of the wonderful Zanj Elephant Shrew darting through the leaf litter. Sadly it is also never far from my mind that any loss of coastal forest brings these creatures a step closer to extinction.

Above: Chainsaws are often heard in Shimoni Forest, this tree was recently cut on Transect 6

That’s why the sudden appearance of charcoal burning pits in Shimoni forest over the last few months has caused alarm amongst our research team and many of our friends in the community. Last Friday, GVI’s research team returned to survey Transect 6, our furthest away, only to return with the sad news that in the intervening few months, 5 charcoal burning pits have sprung up along a 500m stretch.

The illegal felling of these trees to slowly burn them in large earth ovens to produce charcoal not only scars the ground but leaves gaping holes in the canopy where troops of Colobus should be travelling, feeding or simply resting. 

Above: Charcoal being packed up along Transect 6 

Having recently estimated from our research that 5% of the forest we survey has been lost in just one year to clear felling of land, either for agriculture or development, this has added to a sense of urgency in bringing the local communities and private landowners together in finding solutions to the challenge of safeguarding the forest that remains.

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