By Leonard Korir and Allan Kisia - http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/environment/

The Government has been urged to speed up eviction of settlers from Mau Forest.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala toured Masai Mara Game Reserve on Tuesday and observed that continued destruction of the forest had adversely affected tourism.

He also noted agriculture, especially in and around the Mara ecosystem had been affected greatly.

He said the Government position on the Mau saga was clear and wondered why some of his Cabinet colleagues were confusing people by giving out inaccurate information.

Speaking at Olonana Tented Camp on his tour of the Mara Triangle, accompanied by South African Tourism Minister Schalk Amarphinus, Mr Balala said environmental matters should not be politicised.

"It is time they change their tact. In fact, Mau and other water towers should be saved today; not tomorrow," he said.

Alarming decline

He said the rate at which Mara River was losing water was shocking.

"If the trend is allowed to continue, the wildlife in the Mara and Serengeti ecosystem including people are bound to suffer," he said.

He said Government should set out clear policies on forest and environmental conservation.

Balala said Kenyan tourism sector had recovered by eight per cent since post-election violence, but was still down by 18 per cent from its best year in 2007.

Mr Amarphinus said he had a good time, especially watching the wildebeest migration.

Separately, the Anglican Church of Kenya has told the Government not to backtrack on its promise to evict settlers from water catchment areas.

Archbishop Eliud Wabukala said all forests, including Mau, should be saved from further destruction.

"Water catchment areas are environmental issues, which the Government and all Kenyans must deal with appropriately," he said.

He also asked Kenyans to be at the forefront in conserving the environment.