Kenya is known for its safaris, diverse climate and geography, and expansive wildlife reserves and national parks, such as the East and West Tsavo National Park, the Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Aberdares National Park. From the coast on the Indian Ocean, low plains rise to central highlands. The highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley, with a fertile plateau lying to the east. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa. Overexploitation over the past three decades has reduced the country's timber resources by one-half. An estimated 50 km2 of forest are lost each year. This loss of forest aggravates erosion, the silting of dams and flooding, and the loss of biodiversity. Among the endangered forests are Kakamega Forest, Mau Forest and Karura Forest. Widespread poverty in many parts of the country has greatly lead to over-exploitation of the limited natural resources in Kenya. Cutting down of trees to create more land for cultivation, charcoal burning business, quarrying among other social and occupational practices are the major threats of environmental degradation. (Wikipedia)
