Indigenous people & forests

Kwale-KE, is home to over 18 indigenous forests, currently exposed to varied human & nature-related threats. The forests, commonly known as Kayas, are repositories of the spiritual beliefs of the local and indigenous communities of the coastal counties of Kenya. This is the reason the indigenous forests are highly revered. Local & indigenous people, in Kwale and world over, have for centuries protected these forests. The mix of spiritual & ‘unpolluted’ medicinal value derived from the indigenous forests are the greatest reasons for the survival for centuries. Restoration & conservation of these indigenous forests and the effectiveness of sustained monitoring are emphasis we continue to place in our action. However, the indigenous people still are and will remain our our greatest link to innovative approaches towards guaranteed protection of these indigenous forests.