Participatory Forest Management Practices and Climate Change Mitigation in Kenya: A Case of Karura Forest Ecosystem, Nairobi County

Participatory Forest Management (PFM) is an approach of involving community and other stakeholders in sustainable forest resource management. It involves collaboration in all aspects including making decision to improve conservation and the socio-economic conditions of the forest adjacent communities. This study examined PFM practices and climate change mitigation: A case of Karura forest ecosystem, Nairobi county-Kenya. The study focused on biodata of respondents, PFM practices and climate change mitigation, PFM regulatory framework and climate change mitigation, and an evaluation of impact of PFM implementation and climate change mitigation in Karura Forest ecosystem. The research involved diverse stakeholders, including the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association (FKFCFA) and achieved an 83.5% response rate. The respondents' demographic distribution reflected a collaborative approach, with diverse age categories (18-25 to over 56 years) and a balanced gender representation (44% male, 56% female). The varied years of involvement in conservation efforts emphasize the richness of experience within the community, showcasing a collaborative network crucial for addressing climate change challenges in Karura Forest. The study's findings regarding the aspects PFM indicate a strong correlation (96%) between PFM practices and climate change mitigation efforts, emphasizing its role in rehabilitating degraded ecosystems. The research reveals a positive outlook on community involvement and the alignment of PFM with global climate change mitigation goals. Analysis regulatory framework of PFM highlights the effectiveness of stakeholder role allocation (68%) and positive cooperation between the government and partner organizations (85%). However, challenges such as communication gaps and conflicting interests underscore the need for continuous improvement. Lack of awareness (33%) and significant barriers, including lack of funding (40%) and policy constraints (36%), necessitate targeted interventions to ensure the success of PFM practices. The evaluation of upshots of this approach demonstrates PFM's transformative role. The forest cover for Karura Forest Ecosystem has increased significantly, from 89.83% in 2010 to 91.042% in 2023, showcasing its effectiveness in conservation and climate change mitigation. PFM implementation has positively influenced biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and social equity, with a cumulative positive rating of 93%. The study identifies successful economic empowerment practices and a sense of ownership and responsibility among local communities, resulting in reduced illegal activities. Indeed, PFM practices in Karura Forest Ecosystem has proven effective in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and social equity. The collaborative efforts involving diverse stakeholders and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge contribute to its success. Strengthening communication, promoting gender equality, addressing awareness gaps, seeking alternative funding, and addressing challenges associated with income-generating activities will foster attainment of sustainability in PFM practices to mitigate Climate Change in Karura Forest Ecosystem. Further research is suggested to explore additional factors influencing PFM practices success and long-term impacts on climate change mitigation.