MARSABIT – The sound of birds moving through the canopy, leaves whispering in the wind, and a slow stream bubbling over rock. The air is fresh, calm, and cool.
This is Mount Kulal Forest, often called the “Gem in the Desert” in Laisamis Constituency, Marsabit County. Even as climate change bites across Kenya and the region, residents of Gatab continue to enjoy clean air and a thriving forest. Their secret is culture: traditions passed down by elders that have made conservation a community pillar.
Rising to 2,300 meters above sea level, Mount Kulal is an eroded, extinct Pleistocene volcano East of Lake Turkana. Its mist-covered peak forms the core of the Mount Kulal Biosphere Reserve. Managed jointly by the local community and Marsabit County Government, the mountain covers about 750 square kilometers, split by a deep crater ravine into northern and southern sections.
The North is wetter, receiving 900 to 1,000mm of rain annually, compared to 200 to 300mm in the South. The surrounding desert gets no more than 150mm. The habitat includes forest patches, grassland, evergreen shrubland and bushland, and forms a critical water catchment for the region.
Culture as conservation law
For Gatab community, Mount Kulal is sacred, essential for both present and future generations.
Protection goes beyond leaving the forest untouched. Communities actively plant more trees, both indigenous species and fruit trees, guided by customs set by elders.
“If anyone breaks the elders’ rules on conservation, they face a curse,” warns Andrew Leyamiyam, Chair of the Loshikreshi Forest Conservation Group. “Communities dependent on the forest practice traditional rules where fines can be imposed, and in some cases culprits may be cursed. Management groups have been formed to safeguard the forest and ensure sustainable use of its resources.”
Esther Lesiantam adds: “Apart from the strict rules, the whole community works together to conserve the environment.”
Shadrack Lengoyap, founder of the Olchore Conservation Group and Secretary of the Mount Kulal Community Forest Association, says the forest covers about 45,000 hectares.
UNESCO designated Mount Kulal a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1979 for its water catchment and biodiversity. The core zone of 51,436 hectares covers the forest on the mountain, with a buffer zone extending to the shores of Lake Turkana. Since then, residents and elders have been its main custodians.
But recent climate change impacts have pushed them to do more. “That is why we have intensified tree planting, both indigenous and fruit trees,” Lengoyap says.
The value of mount Kulal
Lengoyap says the forest is sacred ground used for cultural rituals. Access is restricted to protect water sources and trees of cultural importance.
Elders have also banned the cutting or transportation of Mutarakwa trees, the African pencil cedar, Juniperus procera , a decree that has helped preserve the species.
Mt Kulal is also considered a vital cradle of the sweet-smelling frankincense and myrrh family. In August 2021, Food and Agriculture organization -FAO declared its interest in addressing the environmental degradation challenges faced by the region with the focus of restoring Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands through bio-enterprise development.
Residents also draw on sensitization through radio programs, experts, religious leaders, and conservation groups to guide conservation work.
“It is in this forest that you can only find Kulal White-eye birds —Zosterops kulalensis: A rare bird species endemic exclusively to the mist forests of Mount Kulal.Critically endangered, white-headed vultures and hooded vultures.Other forest migratory species like Mountain buzzards, Hartlaub’s turacos, star-spotted robins, and dozens of regional biome-restricted species.
The forest is also habitant to Mammals, endemic-prone Wildlife and threatened Vultures.
“Animals like elephants, leopards, striped and spotted hyenas, silver-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, bushbucks, waterbucks, and impalas, Grevy’s zebras and long-necked gerenuks in the surrounding lower zones and venomous reptiles species including saw-scaled vipers, night adders, puff adders, cobras, and various chameleons are also found in this forest.” Lengoyap adds.
Marsabit County Forest Conservator Mark Lenguro and his deputy Silas Mutea commend the community’s approach. With over 85% of Marsabit County classified as arid, Lenguro says forests and indigenous trees must be protected to cushion communities against climate change.
KWS Senior Assistant Director Gideon Kebati and KFS Enforcement Commander Kadiro Oche also urged residents to recognize the role of forests in supporting wildlife and improving the environment.
For Gatab, culture is not just heritage. It is the tool keeping Mount Kulal green.
