FORESTRY IN EAST AFRICA

Forestry is  the planting, caring, exploitation, preservation and management of forests.

The cutting down of trees for sale is known as Lumbering.

In East Africa, forests are found in highland regions and the coastal plains.

In Tanzania, forests cover about 49% of total land area. Forest are found around the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and in the southern highlands, mangroves are found along the coastal lines, Miombo woodlands occupy the central and western part of Tanzania like Tabora.

In Kenya, forests are found in the highlands, East and West of the rift valley, around the slopes of mount Kenya, Elgon and in Aberdare ranges, in some district such as kakamega, Kericho, Nakuru and Nandi. Mangrove are found along Kenyan coast in Lamu and Malindi.

In Uganda, forests are found in the highlands such as Bugoma, Budongo, Kibale, around Ruwenzori Mountains, around Mount Elgon and around the shores and islands of Lake victoria.

FORESTRY IN DEMOCRATIC REP. OF CONGO

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has heavy equatorial rainforest, thus the timber industry is high.
Timbers are transported through Congo river from one place to another. The rainforests of DRC has wide range of wildlife such as bonobo(pygmy chimpanzee), mountain gorillas and white rhinos.

ADVANTAGES OF FORESTRY IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

1) Employment to citizens

2) Raising of national income

3) Earning Foreign currency  as timbers are exported.

CHALLENGES FACING FORESTRY IN DRC

1) Heavy rainfall hinders smooth transportation of logs and timbers.

2) Poor local market

3) Lack of development of the timber industry in the country

4) Many people give attention to the mining industry hence the timber industry is ignored.

5) Thick forests make it difficult to extract timber because they are hard to penetrate.

FORESTRY IN NORWAY

Norway is the country in the Europe continent, its capital city is Oslo.

In Norway, rivers are used to transport the logs to places where they can be processed  into timbers, this is possible because of absence of waterfalls.

In Norway, the trees that are planted are often spruce, these trees are tall and have sharp leaves that are not shed, these trees produce hard brown fruits called cones.

SPRUCE	CONES

ADVANTAGES OF FORESTRY IN NORWAY

1. Foreign currency because of exportation of finished goods made of timbers.
2. Employment to many people in due to timber industry in Norway.

CHALLENGES FACING FORESTRY IN NORWAY

High Forest Damage due to acidic rain, unfavorable weather and attack by insects.
Deforestation due to agricultural activities and settlements.
Shortage of labour supply because many labour are attracted by other sectors such as fishing and business.
Air pollution such as smokes from industries which has resulted to acidic rain which destroys forests.

FORESTRY IN BRAZIL

Brazil is the country found in the equatorial belt in South America continent. It is the largest country in that continent. The capital city of Brazil is Brasilia.
The continent of South America is also referred to as Latin America.
Brazil’s forests are thick equatorial rainforests. The Brazilian Amazon forest provide more timber than any other tropical forest.
In Brazil, roads and railways are used to transport logs.

ADVANTAGES OF FORESTRY IN BRAZIL

1. Foreign exchange due to exportation of forest products such as timber.
2. Employment in forestry and timber industry.

CHALLENGES FACING FORESTRY IN BRAZIL

1. Deforestation because of road construction and extension of towns.
2. Thick forests are hard to penetrate so it is challenge in the harvesting of logs.
3. Unreliable price of timber in the world market.
4. Illegal harvesting. Illegal harvesters steal a lot of timbers.

DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS
The following are activities that lead to destruction of forests

1. Poor methods of harvesting timber such as harvesting immature trees in the forest.

2. Agricultural activities, forests are cleared to allow agricultural activities to take place.

3. Energy harnessing, many people use charcoal and firewood as source of energy so this cause the destruction of forests.

4. Construction of infrastructures. Forests have been cleared to allow the construction of roads, railways, airports etc.

5. Mining activities. Some forests have been cleared in order to establish mines.

6. High demand of forest products. Demand for some items such as papers, furniture, and building materials have accelerated the destruction of forests.

7. Rapid increase of population. When people increase, large area of land would be needed for construction of settlements so the forests are cleared to allow construction of settlements.

SUSTAINABLE USE OF FORESTS

Sustainable use means efforts made to conserve and protect forests. The following are the ways  in which forests can be used in sustainable manner.

1. Afforestation. This is the planting of trees where they did not exist.
2. Reforestation. This is the planting of trees  in areas where they have been harvested or destroyed.
3. Agro—forestry. This is the planting of crops together with trees on the same piece of land.
4. Educating people on the importance of forests.
5. Alternative energy sources should be used instead of depending on trees, alternative sources include solar, Biogas and HEP.
6. The growing of fast growing tree species such as cypress and pines should be encouraged.

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