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Let’s return to the good old
days when the Mau played its role
FRANCIS GIKONYO, Nairobi.
Thursday, August 14 2008 at 19:31
Many have cried their hearts out for the Mau Forest.
Indeed, to be alone in the woods of the Mau in the days of yore in
the middle of the night was a chilling experience. The trees and
thicket, positioned themselves in a soldierly manner, ready for
combat.
Their boughs interlaced in splendour. To a lone ranger all this
beauty appeared like well adorned scarecrow.
The musical pitch created by the whistling thorns in the wind
reminded us we were accompanied by a stranger. It made the walk in
the woods spine chilling.
The quiet itself constituted the perceived attacker. In the mind
of the lone ranger, quietness was a snare.
Yet the perceived hunter of mankind was mankind. The fear was
magnified; quietness is such that the flight of a bat thunders
like a combat aircraft.
Yet mankind needs the soothing quietness and calmness. Many stroll
in quiet woods in search of a pleasant atmosphere.
Mankind has been generously endowed with perception. We have
instincts that produce remarkable intuition.
We discern, rationalise and comprehend certain sensations, yet we
have used this to destroy, not preserve nature.
We have shamelessly entered the Mau and made Sondu Miriu cry for
water. Ironically, we are the ones weeping over the low water
levels.
The precious quietness of yore is no more. The serene creation has
regrettably disappeared and has rapidly been replaced by obnoxious
pollution.
The original creation was set in such an orderly manner that a
natural dependence of one on the other assured orderly consumption
and disposal of waste.
It is technology and occupation that have systematically destroyed
the natural order.
All these have had far reaching and hurting effects on the entire
earth. The once beautiful and quiet forests, ranges and mountains
have been destroyed beyond recognition.
Pollution of everything everywhere has become the order of the day,
yet we are still resisting efforts by the few who still cherish
renewal of the old unpolluted order.
The ozone layer is being destroyed and the effects of global
warming are being felt. Annihilation is stealthily pursuing
mankind.
The quiet has been taken away by selfishness, carelessness and
ignorance. Yet destroying nature is easier than restoring it.
Unless we stop this onslaught upon the order of nature, we must be
prepared for the worst.
During the recent celebrations to mark World’s Environmental Day,
Prof Wangari Maathai said the trees may not feel any pain, but we
must be prepared for the scorching and devastating revenge of
mother nature.
She said nature would avenge and hit our race in a manner we never
expected. Our children will die of hunger, starvation and thirst
and we will be helpless.
So let’s bring back the quiet woods and enjoy its calmness and
quietness.
These lamentations are, hopefully, falling on ears that hear. Mau
Forest is a clear manifestation of the cruelty of man to nature.
It’s with relief that Prime Minister Raila Odinga has decided to
swim against the tide.
Little did the people know that by saving our natural habitat we
were saving ourselves.
In the prestigious list of merit, the Prime Minister has acquired
space. Water catchments must be protected at all costs. Politics
in this matter must take a back seat.
We must rally behind those few upright leaders who have the
insight to understand the importance of keeping nature free of
human destruction.
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