Beyond Wildlife: How Kenyan Conservancies are Creating A Better Future for Communities

By Cecilia Nkini, Associate at Waka Africa

Introduction

The concept of community participation in tourism and other development initiatives has gained support since the 1980s. In Kenya, tourism in community lands came about with the introduction of the Community Wildlife Service in the 1990s, when the government actively recognized that local indigenous communities play a vital role in the conservation of wildlife.

Conservancies play a crucial role in wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection, and community development. These conservancies are communally or privately owned and managed areas that support sustainable wildlife management and conservation efforts.

Central to the conservation of these landscapes are community conservancies, which play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity while simultaneously uplifting local communities. These conservancies are unique in that they integrate conservation efforts with community development, ensuring that local people are active participants in and beneficiaries of conservation activities. Community-based conservation aims to improve the lives of local people while protecting areas by establishing national parks or wildlife refuges.

Across different parts of the world, local resource owners have largely indicated that wildlife protection is important and that wildlife habitats near their respective communities are important for their quality of life. Given Kenya's rich biodiversity and the challenges posed by climate change, conservancies have become essential in preserving ecosystems and engaging local communities. Community-based conservation is effective in changing the top-down approach to wildlife-protected area conservation applied by many governments of the developing world as it emphasizes the position of those people who bear the costs.

Consequently, this concept of Community-based conservation is considered a tool, strategy, means, and an end. There are many forms of participation: direct versus indirect participation; passive vis-à-vis active participation; real, token, and remedial participation; popular; and equitable participation.

Here’s an overview of conservancies in Kenya and how they are engaging local communities.

1. Maasai Mara Conservancies:

Kenya’s Maasai Mara is one of the country’s most important wildlife and tourism area. It holds a quarter of the country’s wildlife and is also home to a pastoral community of over 200,000. The Maasai Mara has found great success employing the “community conservancy” model which protects wildlife, sustains communities, and propels a thriving tourism industry.

The Maasai Mara Conservancies are a collective network of privately managed conservation areas surrounding Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. These conservancies were established to expand the protected area for wildlife, reduce pressure on the Mara ecosystem, and provide sustainable benefits to the local Maasai community. The acres of land are managed through partnerships between landowners, conservation organizations, and tourism operators.

The conservancies were formed when Maasai landowners with neighboring land agreed to let safari camp operators utilize their land for tourism reasons in exchange for a percentage of revenues or a lease charge. This model ensures that the land remains designated for conservation and eco-tourism, rather than being converted for agriculture or settlement. Local Maasai communities are involved in conservation efforts since they live close to the reserve and their activities directly affect the ecosystem.

Key Maasai Mara Conservancies include; Mara North Conservancy, Mara Lemek Conservancy, Nashulai Maasai Conservancy, Naboisho Conservancy, Ol Kinyei Conservancy, and Enonkishu Conservancy.

One of the defining aspects of the Maasai Mara Conservancies is their strong focus on community engagement and empowerment. From the outset, the conservancy recognized the critical role that local communities play in conservation. By involving the Maasai people in decision-making processes and providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities, the Maasai Mara Conservancies has fostered a sense of ownership and stewardship in the community. This partnership between conservation and the Maasai people has created a mutual understanding of the importance of safeguarding wildlife and their natural habitats.

Maasai Mara Conservancies also engages local communities in projects that directly benefit their well-being. The conservancies support the development of essential infrastructure such as schools, health clinics, water supply systems, and infrastructure development, which significantly improve the quality of life in the region. These community development projects are often funded by the revenue generated from eco-tourism activities, such as safari lodges and guided tours, and conservation-related enterprises, linking economic benefits directly to conservation success. By improving the living conditions and economic opportunities for local Maasai people, the conservancies ensure that conservation is seen as a beneficial and integral part of the community’s future.

Beyond tackling conservation issues such as human-wildlife conflict and diminishing wildlife corridors, the initiative aims to fortify conservancies to support government efforts in addressing social challenges related to health, education, livelihood opportunities, and gender-based violence.

2. Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, located in the Kwale County of Kenya, is a community-managed conservation area dedicated to the protection of elephants and their habitat. The sanctuary was created in response to the increasing human-elephant conflicts in the region, which resulted from agricultural expansion and habitat fragmentation.

By involving local communities in its operations, more than 200 families voluntarily contributed land, resolving not to farm on the land so that it could serve as the elephant habitat. In return, the families became shareholders and managers of Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary and began to receive annual dividends from tourism activities in the area. This arrangement provided jobs for the local people as many community members are employed as rangers, guides, and in various roles within the sanctuary's eco-tourism sector. This provides them with a steady income and reduces their dependence on activities that could harm the environment, such as logging or poaching. Revenues from the sanctuary have enabled the community to build classrooms, improve road networks, and enjoy a steady water supply. The endeavor has also led to an increased community tolerance and appreciation of wildlife.

The sanctuary actively involves the community in decision-making processes to ensure that conservation efforts are aligned with local needs and priorities. Local leaders and landowners participate in the management of the sanctuary, giving them a voice in how the sanctuary is run and how the benefits are distributed.

This community involvement arrangement has minimized human-elephant conflict in the area and enhanced the socio-cultural and economic well-being of the local people. The sanctuary upholds high standards of environmental protection and has consequently promoted the preservation of the rich culture of the local Digo and Duruma people.

3. Borana Conservancy

Borana Conservancy, located on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, is a ground-breaking example of community-driven conservation. It was established in 1993 and covers over 32,000 acres. The Conservancy is committed to preserving both Black and White Rhino and a wide variety of critically endangered species, including, elephant, lion, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra while also promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Borana Conservancy combines wildlife conservation with community development, aiming to strike a balance between ecological preservation and economic prosperity for the people living in and around the conservancy.

The conservancy operates on a community-based model that ensures residents are not only beneficiaries but also participants in the conservation process. By actively involving local communities in decision-making and providing benefits such as job opportunities and education, the conservancy nurtures a symbiotic relationship between people and the endangered species, paving the way for a promising future for both.

Borana Conservancy also invests significantly in community development projects that enhance the well-being of local residents. The conservancy funds and supports initiatives that improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure. For instance, through the Borana Education Support Programme, Borana Conservancy has contributed to the construction and renovation of schools, providing educational opportunities for children in the area. Additionally, the conservancy has facilitated access to healthcare by supporting local clinics and health outreach programs focusing on health education, family planning, HIV aids counseling, anti-natal care, and immunizations along with everyday curatives. These efforts help to improve the overall quality of life for community members, fostering goodwill and support for conservation goals.

Borana Conservancy exemplifies successful community-focused conservation. The conservancy is committed to safeguarding the fragile ecosystem, and enhancing the welfare of local communities. By implementing rigorous anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration projects, and wildlife monitoring programs, the conservancy has successfully protected a diverse array of species, including elephants, lions, buffalos, and endangered rhinoceros.

4. Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT)

The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) is a community-led non-governmental organization established in 2004 in northern Kenya by a coalition of local leaders, politicians, and conservation interests. NRT supports the conservation of diverse species, including the African savannah elephant, giraffes, rhinoceroses, elephants, and African wild dog.

NRT collaborates closely with local communities, ensuring their active involvement in decision-making processes and the management of conservancies. Local communities are actively involved in governance, with representatives participating in management boards and decision-making processes. This inclusive approach helps build trust and ensures that conservation strategies align with the needs and priorities of the community. The conservancy also effectively incentivizes the pastoralist communities to partner with them by offering direct and indirect benefits. Direct benefits encompass opportunities to generate revenue through eco-tourism ventures, beadwork projects, and livestock marketing programs, which offer economic benefits while fostering conservation goals. Recognizing the link between peace and conservation, NRT facilitates peace-building efforts among the local communities, addressing conflicts and promoting cooperation to ensure a stable environment for both people and wildlife.

NRT’s community conservancy model not only promotes the protection of species such as giraffes, rhinos, elephants, and lions, but also the coexistence of these species with the people, and the transformation of the lives of indigenous groups through community-based tourism. With improved community and wildlife safety, increased anti-poaching patrols and enhanced monitoring of species such as elephants and rhinos poaching has significantly declined. As a result, populations of these animals have grown and stabilized, and elephant range has expanded into previously insecure areas.

5. Ol Pejeta Conservancy

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located in Laikipia County, is East Africa’s largest sanctuary for black rhinos. Ol Pejeta is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including non-indigenous chimpanzees, the Big Five species and also over 300 bird species. The conservancy is dedicated to the conservation of these endangered species and utilizes wildlife tourism and related ventures to generate income, which is reinvested into conservation efforts and local community development.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy works with the local government and a variety of elected community representatives across the district to identify projects that qualify for assistance from the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. All supported projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are required to include some form of community contribution. The focus is on the following core areas: education, health, energy, water, and infrastructure projects. Additionally, they offer support for agriculture and livestock extension services and assist in the development of community-based conservation tourism ventures. The conservancy is committed to ensuring that the local community directly benefits from conservation efforts.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy also collaborates with local communities to address security issues by offering tracker dogs and maintaining close relationships with local authorities. This partnership ensures the security of the Conservancy through enhanced information gathering and employment opportunities.

Through business ventures and donations, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy secures the funding needed for wildlife conservation efforts and financially supports projects aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of the people in neighboring communities.

Conclusion

Community conservancies have emerged as a powerful model for achieving sustainable conservation and community development. With the protection of biodiversity, there are both tangible and intangible benefits to local communities, regions, and countries. By actively involving local communities in the management of natural resources and linking economic benefits to conservation efforts, these conservancies not only protect vital ecosystems and wildlife but also enhance the livelihoods and well-being of the people who live in these regions.

References

Conservancies Profiles. Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association. 2017-09-30. Retrieved 2020-05-04.

Maasai-Mara-Conservancies | Kenya | Expert Africa. www.expertafrica.com. Retrieved 2020-05-04.

KWS, (2012) Conservation and management Strategy for the elephants in Kenya (2012-2021). KWS, Nairobi.