Nairobi — Village elders in Malindi and Kilifi districts have formed an association to prevent the destruction of the world famous Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.

A Malindi village elder, Athman Mamu, said they formed Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Adjacent Dwellers Association (Asfada) recently in order to curb destruction of the forest.

Speaking to the East African Standard in Malindi, Mamu said elders from the two districts resolved to form the association as a matter of urgency as the forest was facing extinction. "There was massive destruction of the forest by loggers and wood carvers and therefore we thought it wise to form a group specifically to end cutting down of trees in the forest," he said.

He said loggers had cleared away indigenous trees such as Mbambakofi which takes many years to mature.