Forestry in Kenya Colony

Abstract

THE Forestry Department in Kenya has been in existence for more than a quarter of a century, the Forestry Ordinance dating from 1911 . In the annual report for the year Dec. 31, 1926, it is claimed that the year then dealt with was “a notable one, and in many the most successful in the history of the Department.” For the first time, it is said, the revenue was in excess of the expenditure. The revenue of £36,938 exceeded the expenditure by £7083 and was 45 per cent. larger than that of any previous year. The Acting Conservator rightly remarks that a record exploitation of the forests would not necessarily imply a successful year. It might mean, he adds, as it has in many countries, record forest destruction and diminution of the capital forest wealth. Unfortunately, such destruction is still in force in different parts of the world. But it may be asked, is Kenya herself on sure ground in this respect? It is true the Acting Conservator points out that the record exploitation in Kenya in 1926 was accompanied by record progress in afforestation and re-afforestation, “the area of 3047 acres planted during the year being more than sufficient to replace the forest cut during the year.” It is not apparent, however, from the report, on what premises such a statement rests.