Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has issued a comprehensive statement outlining guidelines for grazing in public forests, emphasizing the importance of community participation and sustainable forest management.

Under the Forest Conservation and Management Act, Community Forest Associations (CFAs) are granted permission to participate in forest conservation, including grass harvesting and grazing, while ensuring the preservation of traditional user rights and ecological sensitivity.

The guidelines include provisions for forest zonation, grazing permits, and penalties for non-compliance.

KFS aims to enhance enforcement efforts to curb illegal grazing activities, prioritizing biodiversity conservation and community involvement in forest management.

KFS Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko said in a statement released to the media on Monday, 'CFA is granted permission to participate in the management or conservation of a forest in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

' The statement comes at a time when the government recently instituted a ban on livestock grazing in all public forests across the country in a move towards sustainable reforestation and environmental conservation.

According to Lemarkoko, forest zonation and mapping will be done to identify designated forest areas suitable for grazing as prescribed in the Participatory Management Plans with respect to the forest station.

Grazing is now prohibited in plantation areas that are less than 4 years old and in ecologically sensitive areas, including natural springs, swamps, and river sources.

Grazing registers indicating locality, name of grazer, national identity card number, and number of animals by type, receipt number, and date of payment would be issued to every forest station and all shall maintain it, hence allowing the Forest Station Manager to identify the number of animals allowed to graze in a designated grazing area.

Lemarkoko added, 'Each forest station shall maintain a grazing register indicating locality, name of grazer, national identity card number, and number of animals by type, receipt number, and date of payment.

' He added that all grazers must obtain a monthly grazing permit before grazing commences to avoid flouting the rules set up by the forest team.

The Forest Service has also announced stringent regulations for grazers in that no animals will be allowed in the forest between 7 PM and 6 AM.

Additionally, cattle enclosures or makeshift structures are prohibited at all times within the forest jurisdiction.

'No animals are allowed in the forest at night, between 7 PM and 6 AM, and therefore no cattle enclosures or makeshift structures are allowed in the forest,' Lemarkoko continued.

Grazers who fail to comply with these guidelines will face severe consequences, including losing their right to graze in the forest and may be prosecuted.

'The KFS reserves the right to withdraw grazing privileges if a grazer user group violates the terms and conditions outlined.

Furthermore, any animals found in the forest illegally will be confiscated,' he said.