Man enjoys himself at Kereita forest. [Photo: skywardtours.co.ke]Over Sh3 million needed for the protection of Kereita Forest in Kiambu County was raised last weekend during an event dubbed, ‘Forest Challenge’.The event that was organized by East African Wildlife Society (EAWS) an NGO, and Kijabe Environment Volunteers, a community-based organisation, was held at Kereita Forest bringing together more than 400 participants.EAWS executive director Julius Kamau said preservation of forests faces a lot of challenges."Forest conservation faces a myriad of challenges because we no longer value forests as we used to do before. When we were growing up we used to be told that when you a cut a tree, you plant two. That's no longer the case because this important message is not being inculcated to the present and future generations," said Kamau.Kamau added that one of the things that will help in sustaining forests and achieving the important obligation of 10 per cent forest cover, is to let Kenyans know their importance.Kereita forest covers 4,720 hectares, of which 75 per cent is indigenous while eight percent is an exotic forest. The rest is bamboo, shrubland and herbaceous crops, according to the Star.African elephants are occasionally found wandering into the forest from Aberdare Forest. Black and White Colobus Monkey, Sykes’s Monkeys, forest hogs, small antelopes like duikers, bush babies, porcupines and mongoose are also found in the forest.

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa