Ecotourism Taking Root in Kenya
11/4/97
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Headline: Ecotourism Taking Root in Kenya
Source: Agence France-Presse
Date: 11/4/97
Byline: John Nyaga
Copyright 1997 by Agence France-Presse
IL NGWESI, Kenya, Nov 4 (AFP) - Masai herders who inhabit the
semi-arid bushland north of mount Kenya have made peace with wild
animals and are reaping the benefits of one of the country's first
ecotourism projects.
The Il Ngwesi community wildlife scheme is the product of
efforts between the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the private Lewa
Wildlife Conservancy and donors.
It is designed to promote community-based wildlife
conservation.
The 8,765-hectare (21,650-acre) Il Ngwesi group ranch, which
teems with elephant, zebra, giraffe and big cats, was set up two
years ago and runs a tourist lodge made of grass-thatched African
huts which can accommodate eight visitors.
The ranchers have allocated 5,000 hectares (more than 12,000
acres) of the land exclusively to wild animals and livestock is
allowed to graze in that area only in times of drought.
A visitor can opt to walk, drive or ride a camel during a guided
tour of the ranch. At a cultural central within the ranch visitors
are entertained with traditional Masai dances and learn about Masai
and Ndorobo traditions.
"Our community has been marginalised for a long time and we hope
that the income we are earning through this ranch will help us catch
up with the rest of the world," David ole Masede, one of the
directors, said during a weekend media tour of the ranch.
The 445 families who own the ranch estimate that their project
will have an annual turnover of 32,000 dollars.
Fifteen percent of the funds will be earmarked for a scholarship
fund for their children, 10 percent for maintenance, 25 percent for
development and 50 percent to be shared out among members.
Kenya still relies heavily on mass tourism, which entails
transporting large numbers of travellers around the country's game
parks. That has caused pollution, environmental degradation and
stress to wild animals.
"Through ecotourism, standards are being set for the prevention
of pollution and the raising of standards so that it has least
effect on the ecology," said KWS director David Western at the end
of an international ecotourism conference in Nairobi on Monday.
Ecotourism puts emphasis on smaller numbers of visitors and high
quality travel, he added.
"It is more exclusive, private, more personal and gives a higher
value for money," said Bella Ochola-Wilson, KWS's deputy director
for tourism.
Adjoining the Il Ngwesi community wildlife scheme is the Lewa
Wildlife Conservancy (LWC), situated in the northern foothills of
Mount Kenya, 65 kilometres (40 miles) northeast of Nanyuki town.
The conservancy, previously a cattle ranch, has since early
1990s changed emphasis from livestock farming to wildlife
conservation, and is leading in the preservation of certain
endangered species, especially the black rhinoceros and Grevy's
zebra, and funding community development.
A 107-kilometre (66-mile) electric fence around most of the
22,000 hectares (55,000 acres) of the conservancy has helped resolve
the conflict between wildlife and the local communities.
Before the fence was constructed farmers in the area used to
kill up to seven elephants a year to protect their crops, LWC
administrator Simon Marriot said.
The conservancy has provided employment and built and funded a
medical clinic for the estimated 4,000 people who live next to the
conservancy, hence motivating them to conserve wildlife.
Lewa has helped Il Ngwesi's largely nomadic and pastoral
community with funds, vehcles, radios, and the training of security
personnel, and provided wildlife management expertise.
"Conservation efforts in Africa must bring tangible benefit to
surrounding communities if they are to view wildlife as an asset
rather than a liability," Marriot said.