Changes in the State of Conservation of Mt. Kenya Forests: An Interim Report - 1999-2002

This report presents an assessment of changes in the conservation status of the Mt. Kenya forests between 1999 and 2002, following earlier evidence of extensive degradation caused by illegal activities and land-use pressures. It evaluates the effectiveness of revised management arrangements introduced after 2000 through analysis of satellite imagery, aerial surveys, and ground surveys. The findings indicate substantial improvements, including reduced illegal logging, decreased charcoal production, and declining forest encroachment, alongside increased reforestation efforts. However, persistent challenges remain, notably livestock grazing and residual illegal activities. The study situates these changes within broader environmental and socio-economic pressures while documenting measurable shifts in forest condition over time.