Further news on the fiasco of the proposed jatropha plantations in Dakatcha. This news from the NatureKenya guys on the ground in Dakatcha:
“Following some local border controversy between Malindi and Magarini district, the felling of Brachystegia woodland in Dakatcha is stopped at least for now. Unfortunately, the stop order issued was not based on the environmental facts and the Magarini DC who issued it seems ignorant on the contravention of EMCA and other biodiversity issues. We are investigating whether the order was a lip service or has been obeyed by the Kenya Jatropha Energy Company and County Council of Malindi. There seems to be a rush to implement the project before EIA is presented and a license issued by NEMA. Hope the new DEO for Malindi will issue a stop order on the basis of EMCA as required. Read attached newspaper cutting on stop order ["Kenya Today", dated March 15-21]. Further there is a court injunction which has been grossly ignored.
A letter by NatureKenya Executive Director to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources has been highly despised by the political leaders in Magarini constituency. Local councillors have re-allocated the investor, Kenya Jatropha Energy Ltd another site near Mulunguni (part of Dakatcha Woodland). Caterpilars and tractors started felling down indigenous tree species and clearing vegetation on 15th March 2010. Sources say the lease is 4 years trial starting with 30,000 acres. “
It seems we are really up against a major scam – where the Laws of the land are being totally ignored which require an EIA to be passed for any project before it should go ahead, and with a court injunction actually being ignored by the developer and local authorities together with a complete lack of transparency and inclusion of all stakeholders into the process. Again – if you are able to write a letter of complaint and request the government (see addresses in previous blog post) to stop this development until a proper management plan for the area and the use of jatropha can be drawn up, please do. For those that pray – pray too that this stop and for wisdom and strength for Dominic and Francis from NatureKenya on the front line of the issue.
Technorati Tags: Dakatcha Woodland, NatureKenya, A Rocha Kenya, jatropha, threatened habitat
