Wood Carving, an activity that has gone on silently in Kenya, for over 80 years and has become the mainstay of hundreds of thousands. However, unsustainable use of wood sources coupled with environmental changes, is threatening this source of livelihood.
Tourists visiting East Africa find woodcarvings in Kenya appealing.
Thousands of them purchase wood-crafts and take them back home as gifts or souvenir items. But, disappearing hardwoods are now a major concern of more than 600,000 wood carvers. For most craftsmen selling wood carvings is their only source of income. Each carver generates an additional five jobs in harvesting wood, sanding and polishing the finished carvings. The industry has been benefiting about 1million Kenyans.