Formation of Participatory Forest Management Boundaries for Governance of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, in Kenya

Abstract

Many natural resource management studies have researched on participatory forest management of forests. But current literature indicates that studies on the formation of participatory forest management boundaries for governance of forests are scanty. Thus this paper uses Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve as a case study to examine the extent to which its forest resource and resource users’ boundaries are developed by utilizing a qualitative approach for data collection. The researchers purposively sampled 100 respondents from communities involved in participatory forest management and 90 non-participating communities in the participatory forest management arrangement. Also 30 key informants from heads of government agencies such as Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, National Museum of Kenya, Non-Governmental Organizations such as Nature Kenya, Community Based Organizations and leaders from the business community working in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Management were utilized in the study. The analysis of qualitative data from written notes and audio recordings was coded into similar themes and used to answer the study objective. The results show that both participating and non-participating communities in the participatory forest arrangement are aware of the forest resource and resource users’ boundaries. It is concluded that boundaries are essential in governance of forest resource and users’ boundaries. It is recommended that policy makers need to clearly define boundaries for resource use and resource users’ for enhanced conservation of forest resource and improved community livelihoods.