New restoration project for Kenya's Mau Forest complex
Major new restoration project for Northern Part of Kenya's Mau Forest Complex Spotlighted as Part of Announcement of New Strategic Partnership Between EC and UNEP
(Media-Newswire.com) - Major new restoration project for Northern Part of Kenya's Mau Forest Complex Spotlighted as Part of Announcement of New Strategic Partnership Between EC and UNEP
European Union-funded Project to assist Government of Kenya to secure nature-based services which across the Mau are worth an estimated US$1.5 billion
What: Press Conference
When: Wednesday 23 February, 1.00pm - 1.30pm
Where: Press Centre, UNEP headquarters, Gigiri
Who: Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director
Janez Potocnik, EC Environment Commissioner
Hassan Noor, Chair of the Interim Coordinating Secretariat of the Mau
The European Commission, Government of Kenya and the United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) are set to announce a major new partnership to assist in the restoration of part of the Mau Forest Complex. Concentrated in the northwestern region of the forest, the partnership - funded by the European Union - will secure the 'ecosystem services' provided by the flows of the Yala and Nyando rivers. These rivers are essential in providing drinking water; hydropower and securing revenues from tea and rice production and tourism. The total combined value of the Mau forest services is estimated at US$1.5 billion a year.
In recent years, the North western area of the Mau Complex, along with other areas of the forest, has seen significant degradation due to unsustainable use of forest resources. Part of the EU-backed project will help establish wood lots for the cooking needs of local residents alongside other critical measures.
The news comes as the EC/EU and UNEP also today announced a wide-ranging new strategic partnership to further sustainable development projects and a global transition to a Green Economy. Since 2004, the EC has provided some ?50 million in funds for UNEP projects including pollution control, chemicals and biodiversity conservation.
For more information, please contact:
Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson/Head of Media on Tel. +254 762 3084, Mobile +254 733 632755 or e-mail: nick.nuttall@unep.org
Bryan Coll, UNEP Newsdesk on Tel. +254 20 7623088, Mobile +254 7316 66214 or e-mail: unepnewsdesk@unep.org
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