12 
Bulletin of the EANHS29(3) 
at performing simple field and laboratory experiments 
and observations, becoming qualified field assistants 
in biodiversity surveys. Their work would result in 
quality material and data that can be deposited in 
national collections and available tor taxonomic studies, 
as well as in new. valuable ecological data on the 
specimens Further, they will learn how to record the 
field collected information to computer databases and 
document plant and animal specimens by taking both 
conventional and digital pictures. The niche for 
parataxonomists is a distinct one, as opposed to the 
passive role of a local informant or “field assistant - 
The parataxonomists truly stand “at the side" ol 
biologists, as also implied by the name Involvement 
of local communities in ecological research helps 
demonstrate the value of the forests, both in theoretical 
and in economic terms, by providing employment 
There is no substitute for the conservation value ol 
local people taking pride in their resources and in 
teaching others about them While university students 
or graduates who might be brought in as research 
assistants tend to tire of remote locations and move 
back to the city, many local people arc delighted to 
have good jobs that they can do without leaving their 
homes. 
Land use and Land cover Patterns at Kakamega 
forest 
Efficient allocation of resources in Kakamega District 
is only possible if current data on land use and land 
cover is available Decision makers need data on 
parameters that influence land use to be able to plan 
for the people of the District Changes in land use should 
be monitored so that development plans can be adjusted 
to changing needs The land use/land cover data will 
also be used to guide the activities of this project, in 
addition to providing base maps to support 
environmental education programs on how the lores! 
has changed in area and intensity of use over lime 
This information will be developed by the department 
of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing 
Restoration ecology 
Restoration ecology can be used to reverse the trend of 
degraded land in Kakamega forest and restore it to a 
functional ecosystem while providing new habitats for 
biodiversity Restoration ecology has become a standard 
pan of conservation activities as it is able to speed the 
recovery of degraded lands before substantial losses of 
biodiversity has occurred and provides an important 
means of allowing a significant number of species to 
recover Options for restoration activities in this project 
will be combined with economic incentives by planting 
harvcstnblc commodities 
Forest Protection 
The active protection of the remaining indigenous forest 
will be enforced to prevent further fragmentation and 
degradation of the forest. Kakamega forest was gazetted 
in 1933 and has national Forest Reserve status 
However, it has continued to Ik* degraded This project 
must therefore address the problem by ensuring 
effective policing by the government organizations 
involved by strengthening their capability 
The need to reduce population pressure on 
forest resources. 
Kakamega forest area is not only the most densely 
populated but still maintains the highest population 
growth rates in Kenya The interface between rapid 
population growth and environmental degradation is 
dear According to Mural (1995). uncontrolled 
population increase is die biggest crime of humanity, 
because it induces both environmental and ecological 
destruction through excessive deforestation, 
urbanization, agricultural development, overgrazing, 
etc It is generally believed loday that reducing the 
population is one of ihc possible solutions to 
deforestation (Saycr, 1992) Sustainable development 
espoused at the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 
1992 cannot be achieved without establishing critical 
synergy between population growth and environmental 
preservation It is unfortunate that to date population 
and environmental scientists continue to work in 
isolation, taking little heed of the commonality in their 
mission To help to reduce population growth rates 
around the forest. ICIPE has entered into partnership 
witli ihc Kisumu Medical and Education Trust and the 
Kenya Medical Association lo strengthen the existing 
management of population growth rate in the area by 
Government and Non- Governmental agencies This 
involves introducing effective family planning methods 
in addition lo education for eventual reduction of the 
population growth rate at the Kakamega forest area 
ICIPE'scorc interests relate lo insects, management 
of pests, conservation of ecosystem services, and 
promotion of new non-timber forest products We have 
recognized Kakamega as an excellent model system in 
which to pursue research and applications in these areas 
mentioned above. But we have also realized that 
conservation of beneficial insects, their ecosystem 
services (e g. pollination) and their habitats, requires 
integrated solutions to many problems. We have also 
been asked for assistance in these issues by local groups 
such as the Kakamega village conservation committee 
and Kakamega Biodiversity Conservation Tour 
Operators Association We seek primarily to catalyze 
action while opportunities still exist We endeavor lo 
involve appropriate partners in all aspects of the w-ork 
The proposed project will build on previous research 
undertaken by the Kenya Indigenous Conservation 
Programme (KIFCON). at Kakamega They undertook 
surveys on the status and patterns of change, and on 
initial piloting of new 1 approaches to management which 
incorporated community participation and support They 
also undertook to strengthen institutions that had been 
involved in the conservation of Kakamega forest and 
supported development for forest conservation and 
management. 
