Kenya - Green Zones Developmemt Support Project

The Green Zones Developmemt Support Project is designed to reduce poverty and protect water resources and biodiversity. Indeed, forest degradation is a major environmental problem in Kenya, with dense forests that previously occupied 16% of the country now occupying only around 1.7%. When the project is completed, Kenya's vegetation cover will be improved, biodiversity will be protected and the country's watersheds will be secured, not only for today's population but also for generations to come. Overall, the project will protect 88,000 ha of forest area over 6 years. Forest cover, whose benefits and existence value (intrinsic value) are difficult to quantify but immense, should thus increase from the current 1.7% to 1.9%. It comprises four components, three of which are in three parts: i) preservation of primary forests (rehabilitation of primary forests, participatory management of primary forests, restoration of hilltops and catchment areas under the supervision of county councils); ii) management of catchment areas in buffer zones (restoration of primary forests in ecologically fragile areas, creation of plots planted with species intended for firewood, and consolidation of buffer zones planted with tea trees); iii) support for forest-dwelling communities (development of woodland plots, promotion of agroforestry and improvement of household livelihoods/income); iv) project coordination and management.