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The Kenya Forestry Research Institute marked its Silver Jubilee and ISO 14001:2004 Environment Management certification in an event which was officiated by the Forestry and Wildlife Minister, Hon. Dr Noah Wekesa, on 15th December, 2011. The Minister congratulated KEFRI for developing forestry technologies and disseminating its research findings, which had contributed greatly to restoration of forests both in Kenya and the region. Since its inception in 1986, the institute has grown tremendously in research, infrastructure and human resources. |
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Hon Wekesa urged Kenyans to plant more trees and help to increase forest cover from 1.7%
to 10% of the country. He noted that carbon credits are one way of empowering people to benefit from afforestation efforts. “There are many corporations willing to trade in carbon in Africa. Therefore, this is the time to take advantage of programmes such as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) to sell carbon credits to developed countries,” he stated. He disclosed that the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife is linked to organisations trading in carbon credits and also liaising with communities in the Mau Forest Complex and other water towers to benefit from carbon credits. However, the Minister lamented the harassment of farmers exploiting wood products harvested on farms saying that there is a difference between wood products gathered on farm and those illegally harvested from natural forests. KEFRI board chairman Dr James Onsando said KEFRI attained ISO 14001:2004 EMS status in June 2011 after demonstrating high environmental management standards in its operations, facilities and a commitment to maintaining those standards. He congratulated the management and staff for their hard work. |
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KEFRI Director Dr Ben Chikamai thanked development partners, stakeholders and collaborators for supporting KEFRI in the 25 years of existence.
He also wished the staff a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012. Said Dr Chikamai: “KEFRI has put in place systems of collaboration with both local and international organisations to share research experiences and jointly position ourselves to tackle new emerging challenges such as climate change and preservation of the country’s biodiversity.” |
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KENYA FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE P.O Box 20412 - 00200 Nairobi Tel: +254-724-259781/2, +254-722-157414 Wireless +254-2010651/2 Fax 254-20-2386353 |
| Copyright @ Kenya Forestry Research Institute, 2011 | All rights reserved. |