Forests Reserves in Busia
Budalang’i Forest: Rare Resource in Peril
With the exception of the natural forest covering the hills of Samia and Budalang’i, all other parts of Busia County have only on-farm woodlots integrated into farms. This contiguous forest, now holding its existence as a replanted forest, covers a combined land surface of just 528.8 Ha. Although Budalang’i is the least populated area in Busia County, its forest and natural resources are under immense pressure.
The main forest products in the two areas include firewood and charcoal as fuel, medicinal plants, honey for commercial and domestic consumption, and timber for construction of houses. Even so, Budalangi exhibits high levels of rural poverty despite its natural resources and favourable climate. Also germane, evinced as a blessing and omen for Budalang’i, is that much of its area lies along a floodplain.
The hazard chance of its physical setting at the floodplain of Nzoia River and the increased runoff from degraded catchments are contributing factors to flooding in Budalang’i. This, along with land use practice like deforestation, makes the area susceptible to flooding. Despite the threateningly inauspicious flood risk year-in year-out, the people have continued to diminish the forest and cultivate there. The challenge from such settlements has been witnessed in various flood years.
These areas show the presence of higher vegetation cover and darker purple to darker brown colour hues of the soil background indicating the presence of higher moisture, especially within the riparian of Yala and Nzoia rivers. A dense vegetal cover is mapped at the mouth of Nzoia River, of about 4 km, and at Yala Swamp.
One of the worst floods to occur in Budalang’i happened in 2020, when water displaced over 40,000 people. Hereafter, life became predictable dangerous, experiencing floods whenever it rains heavily, as River Nzoia, the receptor much of the surface drainage, aims to channel the water downstream into Lake Victoria.
Lake Victoria has also had a big influence on the population in Budalangi, with most of the able bodied men historically occupied in fishing activities. Fishing, mainly at Bukoma Beach, accounts for 34.4% of the livelihoods of the households. This overreliance on fishing, and not on diversification, has rendered Budalang’i as slow to innovation and dissident to the changing climate. The attitude to identify the high-risk areas and inform land use planning and mitigation efforts is otiose.
Kenya’s vast forest reserves are of immeasurable importance in biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and carbon storage. Collectively, these forests, natural and exotic, cover 2008 km2 or about 3.4% of Kenya’s land surface area, and 15% of the most fertile land. They also provide important recreational and ecotourism opportunities for visitors to enjoy Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife.
Index of National Forests & Forests Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Tugen Hills Forest, Lembus Forest, Koibatek Forest, Bomet County - Chepalungu Forest, Trans Mara Forest, South Western Mau Forest Reserve, Bungoma County - Chepkitale Forest, Busia County - Budalang'i Forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Bugar Forest, Kessup Forest, Embobut Forest, Cherangani Hills Forest Reserve, Embu County - Njukiri Forest, Murinduko Hill Forest, Kirimiri Forest, Kiangombe Forest, Irangi Forest, Homa Bay County - Gwassi Hills Forest, The Kodera Forest, Kakamega County - Kakamega Forest Reserve, Kisere Forest, Malava Forest, Kericho County - Mau Forest Complex, Masaita Forest, Kiambu County - Kinale Forest, Kereita Forest, Kilifi County - Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, Mwangea Hill Forest, Dakatcha Woodland, Kirinyaga County - Murinduko Forest, Njukiini Forest, Kisii County - The Nyangweta Forest, Kitui County - Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve, Muvaroa Hill Forest Reserve, Laikipia County - Marmanet Forest Reserve, Mukogodo Forest, Lamu County - Witu Forest, The Dodori Forest, Boni-Lungi Forest, Machakos County - Iveti Forest Reserve, Makueni County - Kibwezi Forest Station, Marsabit County - Marsabit National Reserve, The Turbi Forest, Meru County - Giitune Sacred Forest, Mucheene Forest, Mpogoro Forest, Ngaya Forest, Nyambane Hill Forest, Ngare Ndare Forest, Muranga County - Aberdare Forest Station, Nairobi County - Ngong Forest, The Karura Forest, Nandi County - South Nandi Forest, North Nandi Forest, North Tinderet Reserve, Nyandarua County - Nyandarua Forest, Dundori Forest, Samburu County - Kirisia Forest, Taita Taveta County - Ngangao Forest, Vuria Hill, Fururu Forest, Tharaka Nithi Forest - Chuka Forest Station, Vihiga County - Nganyi Forest, Kaimosi Forest, The Kibiri Forest, West Pokot County - Kamatira Forest
outlook
Enjoy the warm hospitality of the people of Busia County while exploring its diverse attractions. Busia County offers a blend of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and historical sites. Visit the lakeshore to enjoy serene views, take boat rides, and possibly visit fishing communities to learn about their way of life.
You Are Here: Budalang’i Forest
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Nearby Budalang’i Forest
A Guide to Busia County
A Summa Digest of Busia
About Busia Way Back When
22 Destinations in Busia County, arranged as one would visit these - east, south then north - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Sio Port, Samia Hills, Bakhulo Shrines in Samia, Budalang'i Forest, Port Victoria, Namenya Hills, Marenga Beach, Muhondo Conservancy, Budalang'i Delta, Che's Bay Resort, Bunyala Rice Scheme, River Nzoia, Yala Swamp, Sio Siteki Swamp, Kavirondo Rocks, Emakina Hills, Alupe Leprosy Center, Busia Border Point, Kocholia Irrigation Scheme, Kakapel Rock, Kakapel Cultural Centre, Malaba Sanctuary
Know More About Busia County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate and National Monuments
The temperature about Busia is more or less homogeneous. Mean maximum temperature ranges yearly between 26°C and 30°C while the average minimum temperature ranges between 14°C and 22°C.
Both the geography and the natural conditions of Busia are largely reflective of the relief features of the surroundings Lake Victoria Catchment, in that much of the county falls within the Lake Victoria Basin.