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Saving The Aberdares Forest
Naylee Nagda, KENYA
The Aberdares is one of Kenya’s five main “water towers” and it plays a critical role in supporting the country’s economy. The Aberdares is the main source of water for Nairobi.
55 per cent of Kenya’s electricity is generated by water flowing from Aberdares and Mt. Kenya.
The forest hosts about 800 plant species and over 270 species of birds. It is also home to thousands of elephants, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, antelopes, rare giant forest hogs and many more.
One in three Kenyans is dependent directly or indirectly on the Aberdare Forest. 30% of Kenya’s Tea Production and 70% of its coffee is grown on its foothills and slopes.
Most of Aberdare Forest has been exploited for irregular settlement and logging of indigenous trees, mainly cedar and camphor. Also illegal cultivation of crops and livestock grazing has led to serious destruction of the forest
On 4th and 5th November 2006 we planted 3000 trees in Kabage Forest which is part of Aberdare Forest. We were in a group of 100 and the programme was sponsored by Giants Group of Kenya, Friends of Environment and many well wishers.
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