The Kenya Forest Service has over the last five years rehabilitated 16,000 hectares of indigenous tree cover at Mau Complex that had been lost to wanton destruction and encroachment.
KFS Commandant Alex Lemarkoko says the service has leveraged on routine surveillance using Integrated information and communication technology (ICT) in curbing human encroachment on Kenya's largest water tower.
Speaking at a media interview on Wednesday at Oluposumoru, which lies within the eastern bloc of the Mau conservancy after a survey, Lemarkoko said KFS is committed to conserve the country's forest ecosystems.
"We will achieve this through sustainable and mutual partnerships with communities neighbouring the ecosystems for sustainable forest resources management," he said.
He noted that of the complex's 20,000 hectares, KFS in conjunction with the community had ensured that 16,000 hectares of indigenous forest cover had been protected from encroachment and illegal harvesting.
"The indigenous tree species will be invaluable in restoring the water tower's ecological integrity and significance to the country," Lemarkoko added.
The commandant further said that the service had rolled out similar initiatives in the other four water towers in the country namely Mount Elgon, Abadare, Cherengany and Mount Kenya saying this is in a bid to restore their ecological significance.