Government burns 13.5 tonnes of illegal sandalwood from Samburu
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry destroyed 13.5 tonnes of sandalwood seized from poachers in Samburu County on Tuesday.
The burning ceremony was held at the DCI Headquarters, and it was attended by a number of stakeholders involved in the fight against the illegal trade of sandalwood and its products.
Sandalwood is an endangered tree species with medicinal properties that are used in the manufacture of cosmetics and perfume.
Roselinda Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry, stated that the exercise was symbolic and demonstrated the commitment and teamwork of the multi-agency partners to disrupt the illicit networks that exploit community and KFS-managed forests.
Tuya said that despite a government ban imposed in 2007, global demand for wood oil has led to overexploitation of the tree in Kenya’s forests.
According to DCI Director Mohamed Amin, sandalwood is listed as an endangered species in the Wildlife Conservation and Management Sixth Schedule, the same as the White Rhino, African Elephant, and Blue Whale.
He also recognized the importance of multi-agency cooperation and collaboration in the fight against wildlife, forestry, and fisheries crimes in Kenya.
The DCI urged the public to share information with them through official channels in order to help reduce illegal sandalwood harvesting in community forests.