The Chipko movement shows that often it is rural women (such as the Chipko women), not the "outside" Western-trained forester, who are the experts ("the knowers") on how to use indigenous forests for multiple purposes (e.g., for food, fuel, fodder for cattle, dyes, herbs, medicines, building materials, and household utensils).
Nearly half of the territory is covered by indigenous forests.
"In terms of global carbon mitigation, there are billions of dollars to be gained from slowing deforestation and sequestering carbon in indigenous forests".
"In Kenya at the moment, we are fighting to protect the remaining very few indigenous forests from some of the richest people in the country".
If they don't, the consequences are unthinkable: game will be poached again, indigenous forests will be felled and pasture over-grazed or even grabbed, Zimbabwe-style.
The resultant indigenous forests saw the town of Knysna boom in the 19th century, when ships loaded with timber braved the treacherous passage between the Knysna Heads, two dramatic sea cliffs guarding the entrance to Knysna Lagoon.
As a member of the government, I continue to protect Kenya's remaining indigenous forests, which are rich in biodiversity and also act as "water towers" (ensuring that streams continue to flow and rainfall is reliable).
Many of these birds, including colourful parrots, are common not only in the indigenous forests but also in Canberra, where they are attracted by the native and introduced trees and shrubs found throughout the urban area.
Climate change may make things worse, but the pursuit of charcoal and firewood, and the wholesale destruction of indigenous forests in favour of maize, has left the country vulnerable.
"When the British arrived [shortly after the 1885 Congress of Berlin that carved up the continent betweeen European powers], they started cutting down indigenous forests and replacing them with monocultural forests, such as pines and eucalyptus trees, which were quick growing and so would supply material for telephone poles and housing".
Nitrogen concentrations in streams draining indigenous forests in New Zealand are very low.
