Securing Effective Stakeholder Engagement to Restore Indigenous Forests in Kenya, Africa: Gwasi Forest Case Study
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Abstract
Indigenous forests, crucial to society's environmental, social, and economic aspects, have become a focal point for stakeholders. However, these stakeholders often hold divergent perspectives. The key players in these initiatives include the community, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations with a conservation focus. The study was designed to propose effective strategies for stakeholder engagement in reforestation initiatives. To achieve this, the research employed a qualitative approach using the case study methodology. Additionally, the research adopted semi-structured interviews to gather the stakeholders' perspectives. The study's findings revealed a knowledge gap in community-led forestry projects. However, community-led initiatives demonstrated a promising potential for success compared to government- and non-government-led projects. This emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between government, community, and non-governmental organizations. The study underscores the importance of enhancing the literacy levels of the stakeholders, adopting an integrated approach, and implementing community-led initiatives.
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