Forest bordering Kenya’s Masai Mara under threat

People living in the Nyakweri forest fight to protect it as charcoal traders move in 

Dan Kaburu
Friday 26 February 2021 10:56 GMT
Comments
Turning forests into farmland reduces wildlife habitat
Turning forests into farmland reduces wildlife habitat (Space for Giants)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Beyond the escarpment that marks the western boundary of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve lies the Nyakweri Forest. An area of ancient primary growth trees, inhabited by people including the Masai, it is now being carved up into individual plots. In some, trees are being felled to make way for farms, or for charcoal. Some are trying to slow the destruction. 

Watch Dan’s full story here.

The Giants Club African Conservation Journalism Fellowships aims to bring more African voices into the international conservation debate
The Giants Club African Conservation Journalism Fellowships aims to bring more African voices into the international conservation debate (Space for Giants)

This article is reproduced here as part of the Giants Club African Conservation Journalism Fellowships, a programme of the charity Space for Giants and supported by the owner of ESI Media, which includes independent.co.uk. It aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in