A row is simmering between a government agency and environmentalists over plans to start logging in Mt Kenya forest.
Residents neighbouring the forest and a group of environment activists want the Government to stop the process, saying it will greatly affect the area's ecosystem.
From next week, the Government has licensed several saw millers to fell trees in three forests in Nyeri District. The areas to be affected include Chehe, Ragati and Hombe.
The Green Belt Movement coordinator in charge of Mathira Division, Mr Mathai Kahuho, said hundreds of trees in the three forests were earmarked for felling.
Species targeted
The species targeted are cypress, blue gum and pine.
Nyeri district forest officer James Mburu confirmed that some saw millers had been allowed to fell some trees in a programme being coordinated by Kenya Forest Research Institute (Kefri).
Mr Mburu said the programme involved thinning the forest plantations in a bid by Kefri to get strong trees that they would later use to develop high quality seeds for the identified species.
He said those allowed through Kefri had the blessings of the chief conservator of forests.
But Mr Kahuho claimed that the move would enable corrupt saw millers to fell the wrong tress.The Nation (Nairobi) via AllAfrica.com
