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Old Exotic Trees At The Shimba Reserve To Be Finally Harvested

Thousands of exotic trees at the Shimba Hills National Reserve will finally be harvested after a long-standing disagreement between the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

The KFS wanted the plantation harvested as most of the trees are dying of old age but KWS raised concern over how the plan will be implemented without affecting wildlife. KFS and KWS agreed to form a four-man team to implement the plan

The team, together with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), will conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment and come up with a report to be presented to the forestry minister and the boards of the two parastatals.

The main issues raised by KFS were that the plantation is old and needs to be harvested to reduce the loss and at least earn some income for the service. Shimba Hills National Reserve has been declared a conservation area which means no more exotic plantation will be established in it. The area will instead be left to regenerate naturally.

The exotic forest covers about eight percent of the reserve and has Cyprus, Pine and Eucalyptus that was planted way before the area was gazetted as a reserve. It is feared that about 450 elephants, 150 sable antelopes and more than 400 bird species, may be negatively affected by the move, if implemented.

The reserve is also a water tower area, with five main rivers flowing through the forest, including Mukurumudji, Pemba, Manolo, Ramisi and Marere, which serve a third of the Coastal population with fresh water.

There is word that an investor has already been consulted to fell the old exotic trees to create room for the natural ones because the old trees have exceeded their germination period inside the reserve. KWS was against the move saying felling down the exotic trees would cause irreparable damage to some unique species resident within the park.

KFS on the other hand maintains that the felling of the trees should be a routine practice that will generate millions of shillings in revenue for the country, and that it is an on-going practice in other reserves and parks.

Enchanted Landscapes® is a web-based company that endeavours to market Kenya as a popular tourist destination by highlighting Kenya’s spectacular landscapes and monuments of significance in its history alongside its people’s cultural diversity, music, dishes, dressing, art and literature. Enchanted Landscapes can be accessed at www.enchanted-landscapes.com

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Related Environment Management Info

Christmas Shoppers Rapidly Adopting Artificial Christmas Trees as Holiday Decoration of Choice

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 12, 2006

A recently conducted poll by Vizu indicates that artificial Christmas trees are surging in popularity in America. The data collected via consumer research shows that 57% of Americans who have trees use an artificial tree, meaning artificial Christmas trees now represent a much larger share of the overall Christmas tree market.

The conclusion was supported by numerous questions involving environmental friendliness and ease of maintenance, among other issues. 54.2% of those polled believe artificial Christmas trees are a more environmentally friendly choice than their natural counterparts, and an overwhelming 70% agree that artificial Christmas trees are easier to maintain.

As far as owning a real tree is concerned, 26% of those polled find vacuuming needles to be the biggest hassle of owning a tree, while 16% hate the task of unbundling and stringing Christmas lights. Transporting and disposing of the trees were cited as big hassles as well, along with removing ornaments from the tree after the holidays.

Asked to comment on the recent preference for artificial trees, Thomas Harman of Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company noted that he’s seen a growing trend in the marketplace over the last few years. “I think people are noticing that real-looking, meticulously crafted trees can be a better experience than the real thing. This year our True Needle trees are on the sets of the Ellen DeGeneres and Megan Mullally Shows and even in the Bill Clinton Presidential Library, and with trees looking this real there is no need to go through the hassle of dealing with a real tree.”

As preference for the artificial Christmas tree in the marketplace continues to grow, so does consumer perception about the traditionally tacky holiday option. Over 60% of those polled say they are more likely to purchase one than 10 years ago. Popularity means that the artificial Christmas tree has officially arrived, having gained wide acceptance and credibility, and whether motivated by environment issues, irksome cleanup or the added convenience, consumers are finding reasons to make the switch.

About Balsam Hill:

Balsam Hill was founded on the idea that pre-lit artificial Christmas trees should look real. Whether you select an artificial tree due to allergies, fire safety laws or for the simplicity and ease of an artificial tree, Balsam Hill hopes you’ll enjoy the artistry and craftsmanship of our products as much as we do.

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Lower My Emission Now – How Do Trees Help The Environment

How do trees help the environment? Well, while all living plant matter absorbs carbon dioxide as part of photosynthesis, trees process significantly more than smaller plants. This is because of their large size and extensive root structures. Scientists refer to this natural process of extracting carbon dioxide as a carbon sink. Through photosynthesis, trees devour the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and give us oxygen in return. In fact, trees are considered as nature’s most efficient carbon sinks.

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The increasing emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane by industries, houses, and vehicles owing to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and diesel have resulted in the global warming. Carbon dioxide can be permanently absorbed only be the forest trees which remain for ever, and not the agricultural plants that release stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere once the crops are harvested. For this reason, we must plant more trees.

Plant trees when you travel. Plant one tree for every two thousand miles you travel by car. Plant one tree for every one thousand three hundred miles you travel by plane. Plant one tree for every one hundred gallons of gasoline you burn off. Plant one tree for every one thousand kilowatt-hours of energy you consume.

According to the Pew Center on Global Change, the average tree takes in about a ton of carbon dioxide in its lifespan. For Americans, that translates to only 5 percent of our annual carbon footprint. But even if a single tree will only store a sliver of the carbon dioxide from your actions, careful planting can create a ripple effect for more energy savings. In fact, if we plant six to eight billion trees, we might solve the climate change and greenhouse problems that our world is currently faced with.

How do trees help the environment? Well, if people planted 100 million trees around their homes and businesses, it would save billion in energy costs and even prevent global warming.

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This author writes about Help Preserve The Environment and Methods To Conserve And Help The Environment

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