Sustainable mountain development in East Africa in a changing climate

The Government of Kenya has also committed to a plan to establish a Mau Forest Complex Authority to coordinate and oversee the management of the area (GoK, 2009). Eviction of illegal settlers: The relocation of people from the forest by the Kenyan Government is highly controversial and has resulted in social and political conflict. On the one hand, indigenous people are very attached to the land, which they consider part of their ancestral legacy, and have fought for ownership rights; on the other hand, the Government’s plan to relocate and compensate people living in the area is seen as a means of reducing pressure on the land and restoring the forest. Lessons learned There are a number of lessons relating to environmental concerns and policy arrangements for the Mau Forest: • Ad hoc arrangements and the mismanagement of established plans have led to the loss of a large part of the Mau Forest complex; • Relocating indigenous communities should be carefully managed to avoid social and political conflict; and • The Mau Forest is a water tower of international importance that needs attention at both the local and international level. Recommendations In recognition of the importance of the Mau Forest complex, the Government of Kenya has introduced a package of policies and rules to support sustainable management of the forest, but more consideration is needed in how these policies are implemented and how the local communities can be involved in rehabilitation activities.

Ostriches in Samburu, Kenya

Recommendations include: • Improving collaboration between all stakeholders with an interest in the Mau Forest landscape in order to sustain the rehabilitation of the forest; • Enhancing efforts to institutionalize governance systems by enhancing the Mau Forest Complex Authority and harmonizing strategic plans

and actions; • Carefully involving local communities in restoration activities; and • All stakeholders in the region should advocate for the protection of the Mau Forest complex in its role as an important water tower for the East Africa region.

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