Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Management and Conservation Project, Kenya
 J Fanshawe/BirdLife
Ecotourism in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest has become an important justification for conservation.
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Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and its importance
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest covers 420 square km close to the Indian Ocean in Kilifi and Malindi Districts of Coast Province, Kenya, about 110 km north of Mombasa. It is one of the last remnant indigenous forests in Kenya, the largest and most intact coastal forest in East Africa, and by far the largest remnant of the forests that once dominated Kenya's coastal fringe.
The forest supports remarkable biodiversity. It contains at least three distinct vegetation types, which provide the habitat for several endangered species, and a high number of species in relation to the area: 20% of Kenya's bird species and about 30% of its butterflies have been recorded in this small part (0.07%) of Kenya. At least 24 rare or endemic bird, mammal and butterfly species are restricted to this stretch of coast. This high proportion of endemic species, some known only from Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, make the forest a key part of the East African Coastal Forests Endemic Bird Area.
 T. Langton
Sokoke Scops-owl Otus ireneae
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Threats
Although forest cover has survived over recent decades, forest resources have been seriously depleted and modified by over-exploitation and are still declining. Extreme poverty results in heavy subsistence demands, especially for firewood and building materials, and illegal activities within the forest, such as poaching (of wood and animals). These activities endanger the forest resources that have up to now helped to support local communities, leading to a vicious circle of degradation all too often seen in tropical forests.
On several occasions, parts of the forest have been earmarked for 'degazettement' and allocated for clearance for agriculture or settlement. These proposals have been successfully resisted, by arguments related to the biodiversity, and the functional, socio-economic and cultural values of the forest. However, it is unlikely that pressure on the forest will ever completely cease, and the needs to realise and demonstrate these values, and to advocate for the conservation of the forest, continues.
BirdLife International and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
BirdLife has been closely involved at Arabuko-Sokoke since 1983. From 1996 until March 2002, this commitment came through the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Management and Conservation Project, financed by the European Union.
 Norman Arlott
Clarke's Weaver Ploceus golandi
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The project was co-ordinated by the BirdLife International Secretariat, and implemented in collaboration between four Kenyan government or parastatal partners: the Forest Department, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute and National Museums of Kenya. The BirdLife International Partner in Kenya, Nature Kenya, became increasingly involved, to the extent that they now (since April 2002) play the leading role for the BirdLife International Partnership at Arabuko-Sokoke, with the BirdLife Secretariat and supporting Partners such as NABU (BirdLife in Germany) and RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) providing assistance where necessary. Much further progress has been made since 2002 (visit www.naturekenya.org); this page summarises the work done up to that time, especially under the 1996-2002 project, a critical period for the conservation of the forest.
Project goal and activities
The goal of the 1996-2002 project was the conservation of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, its biodiversity, and its functional, socio-economic and cultural values. This was achieved by establishing and supporting management and conservation practices with community involvement.
Forest management has traditionally been the responsibility of the Government. Forests are gradually degrading nation-wide, mainly because of inadequate representation of stakeholders in forest management, and shortage of resources for management by government agencies.
A combination of community participation with strengthened law enforcement systems and procedures was at the heart of the project. This was assisted by development of forest-based income-generating activities such as beekeeping and butterfly farming.
For example, the project supported and expanded the Kipepeo butterfly farming project, which is administered by Nature Kenya in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya, and entails rearing selected butterflies and exporting their pupae to earn cash for the community. Other activities concerned ecotourism, education, and research and monitoring to assess effectiveness of these activities.
Successes
The continuing survival of the forest and its fauna during an era of forest loss in most of the country, and region, is the clearest sign of the project's success.
Confidence in the programme is shown by the fact that Arabuko-Sokoke is the first state-owned forest in Kenya where the government has allowed community involvement in forest management. Local communities, as well as national and international organisations, have played a big role in resisting the degazettement of the forest.
This shows the progress that has also been made towards the elusive but ideal goal of sustainable and local 'stewardship' of natural resources at Arabuko-Sokoke.
 BirdLife
Participatory mapping of utilisation zones with villagers was an important part of the planning process.
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Long-term planning
When preparing for the future management of any biodiversity-rich site, it is important to agree on a vision, a framework for future efforts, and a detailed set of guiding principles and priorities for action based on the best possible information.
The project met this requirement, and the clearest demonstration of this is the 25-year Strategic Forest Management Plan - one of its crucial outputs. The Plan's purpose is to put in place sustainable forest management and conservation practices, in order to achieve the agreed overall vision that in 2027 Arabuko-Sokoke Forest will be an intact and fully functioning forest ecosystem with no reduction in the existing forest area.
The plan was developed in a participatory way, directly involving over 150 people, representing every 'stakeholder' group around the forest. Planning is based on a system of forest zones according to forest use: subsistence use, non-extractive use (including strict biodiversity conservation and ecotourism), commercial use (only for tiny areas of existing exotic plantations) and intervention (outside the forest).
 BirdLife International
Tree nursery at Arabuko-Sokoke; the project's agroforestry programme has helped with forest product substitution and soil improvement.
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The plan summarises current knowledge, themes and opinions about how the forest should be managed consistent with the vision. It then sets priorities for future work, and gives guidance on how to plan specific actions ('operational' as opposed to 'strategic' planning). The highest levels of Kenyan government have approved and endorsed the Plan. Since the end of the EU-funded project, it has already been adopted as the main guide to the continuing conservation and management activity in this latest phase in the history of the forest.
In 2006, a report on conservation successes, challenges and lessons learnt at Arabuko-Sokoke Forest was published by, and is available (print format only) from, Nature Kenya.
For further information, see Nature Kenya or contact Nature Kenya directly: office@naturekenya.org