Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2023

Presentation information

[J] Online Poster

H (Human Geosciences ) » H-GG Geography

[H-GG01] Dialogues on natural resources and environment between earth and social sciences

Mon. May 22, 2023 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM Online Poster Zoom Room (3) (Online Poster)

convener:Yoshinori OTSUKI(Institute of Geography, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University), Gen Ueda(Graduate School of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University), Takahisa Furuichi(Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute), Toru Sasaki(HOSEI University)

On-site poster schedule(2023/5/22 17:15-18:45)

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

[HGG01-P05] Timber distribution in southern Kenya and regional forest transition in East Africa

*Gen Ueda1, Matheaus Kioko Kauti2 (1.Graduate School of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University, 2.South Eastern Kenya University)

Keywords:Regional economic integration, East Africa, Forest resources

Regional economic integration of neighbouring countries may reduce deforestation by accelerating industrialisation and reducing dependence on land- and resource-intensive sectors in more developed countries in the region, while stimulating the outsourcing of forest produce to less developed member countries, thus driving region-wide forest transition: Regarding the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), it has been pointed out that underdeveloped countries may become resource frontiers (Razal et al. 2015, Cole et al. 2017). For the East African Community (EAC), there are similar concerns over Tanzania among others, which supplies forest resources to Kenya, and it is important to pay attention to the policies and process of regional economic integration and changes in timber distribution when examining the use and management of forest resources in the two countries. Kenya's construction and housing sector is currently recovering and growing after shrinkage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it may have increased its dependence on imported timber and construction materials to curb overharvesting of domestic natural forests and government tree plantations. Under these circumstances, smallholders in Tanzania may increase their dependence on sales of forest products to Kenya. The presentation focuses on a part of research on the cross-border trade, with a future view to examining the relationship between the timber distribution in Kenya and the production of timber, including farm forestry, in Tanzania.

First, questionnaires were administered in Kenya for supervisor of construction site of multi-storey buildings and infrastructure to examine the geographical distribution and use of scaffolding and propping materials, both wood and metal, from the end of September up to the beginning of October 2022. The geographical areas covered were developing commercial and industrial districts and residential quarters in Mombasa City and its environs, which are approximately 100 kilometres north of the border with Tanzania's Tanga Region. Among the survey areas are Mombasa Island comprising of the town commercial district of Old Town and Saba Saba areas, Nyali Estate which is high income residential area interspersed with commercial areas especially beach hotels, and Kisauni and Bamburi Estates which comprise of middle income residential areas (administratively referred to as Kisauni). The selection of the sites was on the basis of their diversity in terms of types and use of the constructions, upon consultation with an officer of National Construction Authority (NCA), the regulatory body on construction matters in Kenya.

Then, from the end of October to the beginning of November 2022, another questionnaire survey was conducted on timber dealers located along the highway from the southern suburbs of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, to the western suburbs of Mombasa, to grasp the state of timber distribution between the two countries. Respondents were managers, or equivalent informative workers, of timber wholesaling/retailing company at the following urban/trading centres: Kyumvi, Mlolongo, Athi River, Malili, Salama, Sultan Hamud, Emali, Masimba, Kiboko, Kiunduani, Kibarani, Makindu, Kibwezi, Kinyambu, Kambu, Mtito Andei, Machinery, Voi, Kasarani (Voi), Maungu, Misharini, Mackinon Road, Ulilinzi/Mailikubwa, Taru, Samburu, Mariakani, Kokotoni, and Mazeras. Tanzanian timber passes through several interspersed border posts to these Kenyan centres located along the 450 kilometre-long highway.

The presentation summarises the findings from the two survey activities.

Reference
Cole, R., Wong, G., & Bong, I. W. 2017. Implications of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) for trans-boundary agricultural commodities, forests and smallholder farmers. CIFOR Infobrief No. 178, Indonesia.
Razal, R. A., Firmalino, A. F. F., & Guerrero, M. C. S. 2015. Impact of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) on Social Forestry and Forest Products Trade. Manila. NTFP-EP.

This study used Research Grants in the Humanities of the Mitsubishi Foundation, which was given to "Value Chain of Tanzanian Farm Forestry extending to Kenya: Strategy of Merchants' Activities and Potential of Producers' Organizations".