NRT. Noel Simon, 1963

Transcription

1 NRT However nebulous the future, it is conditional upon the degree of support derived from the local people; To attempt to conserve wildlife without the cooperation of the African people is merely to fight a delaying action and as short sighted as allowing to be exterminated. Noel Simon, 1963 Stevie Mann

2 WELCOME TO NORTHERN KENYA You are currently visiting the Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy, A community conservation initiative under the umbrella of the Northern Rangelands Trust. Northern Kenya remains one of Africa s last true wilderness destinations, an area where wildlife roams freely across a vast and diverse landscape, characterized by acacia grasslands, dry savannah and thick forests. In just a short distance, deeply forested mountains with flowing streams at 7,000 feet roll down to open sandy deserts 4,000 feet below, encompassing all of the endemic species found in northern Kenya. This diversity of Fauna, Flora and Culture make northern Kenya a truly unique experience where pastoral communities live by deep cultural values little changed for centuries whilst collectively working to conserve the area s rich wildlife and habitat. Visiting northern Kenya is like nothing else you will ever experience, there is simply no better place to experience the real Africa, leaving you with a lasting impression of Africa s richest sights, sounds and smells. Community Conservation. Historically, conservation has been the responsibility of governments. Increasingly across the world, with mounting pressures on our environment, conservationists and governments alike are realizing that many of these issues are best managed by local communities living with wildlife and at one with Nature. The community conservancies of northern Kenya are at the forefront of this new approach in Africa and the World working with global conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy and Tusk Trust. Your stay with us today is a wonderful reflection of the communities achievement in protecting this unique corner of northern Kenya. Tourism is an essential tool for conservation and community development in northern Kenya and your hosts at Saruni in Kalama are fully committed to supporting this work in a variety of ways. Included in the price of your stay is a conservation and bednight fee, which ensures that by visiting this community conservancy, you are directly contributing to the community s conservation efforts whilst supporting vital community initiatives such as school bursaries and water projects. During your stay, we encourage you to learn more about this community and its conservation efforts by visiting the conservancy s headquarters and meeting with Conservancy staff. Stevie Mann NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST

3 NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST (NRT) A Unique Model for Community Conservation TThe Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) registered in 2004, is a community-led not-for-profit organisation, whose members represent politically and socially marginalised pastoralist communities of northern Kenya. Drought and famine are constant threats in this region where people are predominantly dependent on livestock. Thanks to NRT, alternatives are now evolving providing stability, employment and investment in an area historically neglected. NRT was established by communities and conservationists, recognizing the need for an umbrella organisation that could assist communities to use conservation as a means of improving and diversifying livelihoods. NRT acts as the catalyst for the development of community-owned conservancies with the aim to conserve wildlife and habitats whilst benefiting the lives of the communities they represent through business opportunities, tourism, education, healthcare, job creation and improved livestock management. NRT is currently working with 17 community conservancies in Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Baringo, East Pokot and Ijara districts (see above map), covering an area of more than 5,500 km 2 and targeting an estimated 70,000 people from seven different ethnic groups who are all nomadic or seminomadic pastoralists across northern Kenya. The role of NRT is to develop the capacity and self-sufficiency of its constituent community organizations in biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and good governance by providing guidance and funding, thereby setting conservation standards through a process of peer review now recognized throughout Africa as a new model for sustainable community development. 3 3

4 THE GROWTH OF THE NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST In the last six years, the Northern Rangelands Trust has grown to cover an area of more than 5,500km 2 as illustrated in the maps below. This growth of community conservancies is mainly focused on the movement of the Samburu elephant Kenya s second largest population of 8,000 animals. 50 years ago, elephants roamed this entire landscape unmolested. With the massive increase in ivory values and politically sanctioned poaching of the 1970 s and 1980 s, elephant were decimated, forcing the remaining animals back into the security of the National Parks and Reserves. The current improved security, provided by NRTsupported community conservancies, is allowing elephants to reestablish themselves back into these historical areas, restoring migratory routes unused for over 40 years whilst providing communities with a previously unused asset. NRT Community Conservancies in NRT Community Conservancies in 2010

5 IMPACT OF NRT IN NORTHERN KENYA NRT s work through the community conservancies is establishing a strong foundation of conservation providing direct benefits for local people in a number of ways: 1. NRT s Annual Budget NRT s annual budget of approximately $3,250,000 supports its operations and constituent conservancies. These funds directly impact the local economy and create cascading economic benefits. Elodie Sampéré 2. Elephant Migration Historically, wildlife moved freely across these landscapes. But in the 1970s and 1980s, they were forced into smaller pockets, which were simply not viable for growth. Subsequently, after the ivory ban was put in place in 1989 and now with conservancies and communities keeping their land safe for wildlife, they are once again reestablishing old migration routes and are moving across vast pieces of land, with some animals covering hundreds of miles in just a few days. The map below illustrates the extensive movement of three elephants in the region. 3. Improved Security In a historically volatile region where ethnic conflict was a regular occurrence, the establishment of the conservancies has resulted in improved security for both people and wildlife. A radio-network linking NRT s community conservancies, government law enforcement agencies, and other private conservancies has improved communication enabling community security scouts to effectively respond to incidents such as theft of livestock and wildlife poaching. This improved security has created a more enabling environment for tourism, conservation and business development. 5

6 4. Tourism Development NRT brokers communityprivate sector tourism partnerships in each conservancy to ensure equitable distribution of funds to the community. Our committed conservation and tourism partners in northern Kenya are a vital component of our overall mission. Net income from tourism in NRT conservancies in 2009 was $260, Employment NRT conservancies employ over 500 permanent employees, all from local communities. Other enterprises, tourism facilities and infrastructure projects within the conservancies provide additional employment in an area where employment opportunities are rare. 6. Enterprise Development NRT is working with over 600 women to develop micro-enterprises. NRT provides assistance to these women through micro-credit, enterprise and skills training, and product design and marketing. Women s enterprises are a means of empowering women, enabling them to supplement family income and improve their standard of living. Since its inception in 2006, NRT Trading has raised $45,534 for local women. We encourage you to purchase gift items from the shop in Saruni as these items Suzi Eszterhas Stevie Mann are mainly produced through NRT Trading. 6

7 7. Livestock Marketing NRT has linked with the private sector to provide a better market for livestock for communities and is investigating a l t e r n a t i v e i n v e s t m e n t opportunities away from livestock keeping, including rural banking. P r o m o t i n g a l t e r n a t i v e investments enables communities to diversify livelihoods and spread economic risk, thereby reducing vulnerability to climatic events such as droughts whilst increasing food-security through additional income generation. Since its inception in 2007, the NRT livestock programme has raised over $280,000 in revenue for local communities. 8. Training NRT s focus is on building the capacity of local communities and their respective organisations through training and awareness to enable communities to effectively manage their conservancies and businesses in the long-term. The ultimate goal is to promote independence for these communities and self-sustaining levels of knowledge and management away from NRT. 9. Community Development Income to the conservancies is managed by communities through elected committees. These committees oversee a carefully considered revenue-sharing system which ensures that the revenue from your conservation and bednight fees, and the further contributions which our tourism partners make to the conservancies and communities, are distributed equitably. As a general rule, 40% of all revenue earmarked for distribution supports conservancy operating costs including conservancy staff, security and i n f r a s t r u c t u r e maintenance, while the remaining 60% is allocated to community development priorities including education, healthcare, water development and compensation for wildlife conflict. This income split is the key to operational sustainability of NRT conservancies. Juan Pablo Moreiras 10. Rangeland Rehabilitation NRT is assisting communities to repair degraded areas of land and re-plant grass to improve the rangeland for both livestock and wildlife working closely with the Grevy s Zebra Trust in developing a Holistic Management approach to grazing. 11. Conflict Resolution - Ethnic conflict and insecurity has hindered development in this region, however, NRT s ability to bring together diverse stakeholders facilitates dialogue and partnerships between different and historically rival ethnic groups. Stable and successful tourism businesses are a critical element of this process. 12. Translocation There is a newly developed economy in the community conservancies and availability of prime wildlife habitat. In order to fast track wildlife numbers and to restore species that historically occurred in these areas, NRT is slowly reintroducing species such as giraffes and impala with plans at an advanced stage to reintroduce black rhinos. Stevie Mann 7

8 NRT TRADING PROMOTING ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT WITHIN LOCAL COMMUNITIES NRT Trading was established in 2006 as an initiative to promote enterprise development within communities in NRT conservancies. Communities have traditional skills that allow them to develop jewelry, household items and clothing, however, most of these goods are produced for individual use and very few of these products are sold through markets, either locally or internationally. Communities in these areas lack the knowledge on how to market products, are hindered by long distances to market outlets and an over-supply of traditional tourist items. Suzi Eszterhas NRT Trading employs a highly motivated and qualified team to carry out its objectives. In 2006, NRT hired Celina Butali as its Enterprise and Product Development Manager, responsible for overseeing NRT Trading as well as NRT s micro-credits and business development programmes for women. NRT has also employed Agnes Lekomet as Enterprise and Product Development NRT Trading engages with primarily women s groups to promote enterprise development through facilitating business-training sessions, access to micro-credit loans, technical assistance in product development, and access to local and international markets. The goal is to provide women s groups with the opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the craft market and offer sustainable income-generating activities to communities in NRT conservancies. NRT Trading Objectives: Enhance traditional skills through training in new methods and techniques Identify and use raw materials that have the least environmental impact, combining them with traditional skills to produce a range of innovative gift items Create successful product marketing and packaging in line with contemporary market needs; Diversify the range of products made by the communities Increase market access and branding of NRT Trading products Provide an alternative and sustainable source of income for communities in line with NRT s mission to promote conservation and community development. Manger Assistant and Hussein Hambulle as Enterprise and Product Development Field Assistant. Currently, NRT Trading engages 59 women s groups in six NRT conservancies (Kalama, Lekurruki, Melako, Ruko, Sera and West Gate). NRT Trading markets items from local women to local tourism operations, trade exhibitions, zoos and conservation entities around the world. Once NRT Trading receives orders for these products, NRT Trading will purchase the products from the local women which are then packaged and delivered by NRT Trading. All proceeds from sales of NRT Trading products are deposited in an NRT Trading bank account that is used to fund further purchasing of products and cover packaging and delivery expenses. As NRT Trading continues to grow, it is envisioned that sales will be able to cover all NRT Trading operating costs, perhaps in the next 5 to 10 years. We encourage you to purchase gift items from the shop in Sasaab as these items are mainly produced through these initiatives. 8

9 KALAMA COMMUNITY WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY Conservancy Facts Location Gir Gir Group Ranch, Waso Division, Samburu East District Ethnicity Samburu Population 2,000 Land ownership Core conservation area Main livelihood Key wildlife species Group ranch status but without title for Gir Gir Group Ranch 3,150 ha Year of registration 2002 Staff employed from the 37 community Annual operating budget $95,000 Livestock-keeping & tourism Elephant, Grevy s zebra, reticulated giraffe, wild dog, cheetah, lesser kudu, gerenuk and leopard Stevie Mann Background Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy lies in an area of over 95,000 hectares within the Gir Gir Group Ranch in the Waso Division of Samburu East District. The conservancy borders the Samburu National Reserve to the south and the Samburu County Council has historically shared tourism revenue with Gir Gir Group Ranch members as compensation for their contribution for wildlife conservation in areas bordering the National Reserve. The conservancy was established in 2002 in an effort to draw increasing numbers of wildlife into the area by providing water sources and improved security through community scout patrols. The mission of the Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy is to diversify socio-economic opportunities for Group Ranch members, improve livelihoods through sustainable enterprise development based on environmental and wildlife conservation, and uphold the traditions of the Samburu culture. Species Conservation The conservancy is home to numerous populations of elephant, reticulated giraffe, cheetah, lion and the endangered Grevy s zebra and wild dog. It is also strategically located bordering the Samburu National 9

10 Juan Pablo Moreiras the conservancy. To find out more about Saruni Samburu, visit Women s groups in Kalama are working to produce unique crafts and gift items for guests staying at the lodge and for sale in regional and international markets. Women have gained access to training sessions on business and product development, accounting skills, understanding markets and loan repayment schedules. Through the support of ICEP, a micro-credit programme gave women access to micro-loans to support business development, product diversification and purchasing raw materials. Reserve to the south, West Gate Community Conservancy to the east and parts of Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust to the north. With a core conservation area of 3,150 hectares, it is a critical migratory corridor between northern and southern conservation areas in northern Kenya. Community scouts have been trained in anti-poaching and wildlife monitoring and provide a critical security link to neighbouring NRT conservancies and Samburu National Reserve. Business Development Opened in 2008, Saruni Samburu has been a vitally important part of Kalama s conservation and community development efforts. The tourism operation provides many employment opportunities for members of the local community. and the conservancy receives income from the operation through conservation and bednight fees charged to guests. In 2009, revenue to the conservancy from Saruni totalled more than $70,000. From this income, 60% is used to fund community projects (such as school bursaries and water projects) while 40% is used to fund annual operating costs of The Grevy s Zebra Trust The Grevy s Zebra Trust (GZT) was established to conserve Grevy s zebra in collaboration with local communities. It recognises and supports the critical role played by pastoral people whose livelihoods are inextricably linked to the same fragile ecosystem. The Grevy s zebra has undergone a catastrophic decline in the past 30 years and now only occurs in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian population is less than 100 and still declining, whereas in Kenya the population is believed to be 2,500 and stable, largely as a result of the establishment of the NRT community conservancies and grass roots awareness campaigns. GZT works closely with NRT and the community conservancies in collaborative conservations efforts, including Grevy s zebra research and monitoring, habitat restoration, improving resource access, disease mitigation, and awareness creation. Management actions that are taken to help Grevy s zebra also help other endangered, threatened and migratory species including African elephants, African wild dogs and cheetahs. Conservancy Revenue Structure LODGE / CAMP REVENUE TRUST 40 % Managed by a Board of Trustees Security; wages; operations; vehicles; radios 60 % Managed by the Community Community Development: School bursaries; hospital; water 10

11 Expanding the Umbrella of Nrt to NorthEastern Kenya How the NRT Model of Working with Communities Gives Africa s Most Endangered Antelope a New Chance The Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy is a new and ambitious community conservation initiative under the umbrella of NRT. Located on the northern banks of the Tana River, the Conservancy boasts a remarkably diverse and numerous wildlife populations. Ishaqbini is one of the only places in the world where the critically endangered Hirola antelope (Beatragus hunteri) can be found fewer than 300 individuals are estimated to exist, with the core breeding population resident in a conservation area within the 19,000 hectare conservancy. Ishaqbini is also home to two of Africa s most threatened primates the Tana River Colobus and Mangeby both of which are found in the scenic riverine forest along the Tana River and by Lake Ishaqbini. In addition to providing a last refuge for these charismatic species, Ishaqbini is also home to surprisingly large populations of other wildlife. Herds of over 500 buffaloes are not uncommon on the beautiful Welkon plains, with large numbers of lions present. As the level of protection increases, elephant are making a return and there are increasingly regular sightings of cheetah, leopard, Beisa Oryx and wild dog. More abundant wildlife such as Burchell s zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, desert warthog, lesser kudu and topi are widely spread throughout the Conservancy, together with a fascinating variety of birds and plants. Ishaqbini Conservancy has the potential to play a pivotal role for conservation in northeastern Kenya. The Conservancy is part of the same wider ecosystem as the Boni forest and Dodori reserves on the north Kenya coast, with elephant populations frequently migrating between the two areas. Discussions are at an advanced stage with the Pokomo community on the southern banks of the Tana River to extend the Conservancy considerably around the Tana River Primate Reserve. The Endangered Hirola and the Role of Community Conservation Kenneth K. Coe The Hirola antelope is critically endangered and faces an extremely high risk of extinction. A population of around 14,000 individuals inhabited the areas north and east of the Tana River in Kenya and Somalia in the 1970s, but in the last three decades, poaching, drought, insecurity and pressure from livestock have decimated the wild population to an estimated 300. Despite a concerted effort to initiate activities to aid Hirola in Kenya, sustained support and community engagement have not been forthcoming and the Hirola population continues to decline precipitously. The Ishaqbini Conservancy now presents an exciting opportunity and community platform from which to launch effective and sustainable Hirola conservation efforts. The Conservancy scout team carries out vigilant anti-poaching operations and collects wildlife monitoring data that is shared with NRT and other conservation stakeholders. With support from NRT and the Kenya Wildlife Service, Conservancy scouts were trained in specific Hirola monitoring skills including ageing, sexing and identifying individuals. Scouts have now been monitoring individual herds within the Conservancy and gathering information on population demography. 11

12 Juan Pablo Moreiras 12

13 Stevie Mann Juan Pablo Moreiras 13

14 HOW TO GET INVOLVED Just by being at Saruni and visiting the Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy you are making a difference, and for this we are extremely grateful. You have read in this document the opportunities that exist in northern Kenya. If the communities are going to care for this unique environmental and cultural asset under the threat of climate change and increasing level of poverty, it requires a careful plan, led by communities but using all the most modern resources and technology available to create and implement conservation strategies. This is only possible through a coordinated approach NRT is the catalyst to make this happen. As important as tourism revenue is, it can only support a proportion of our work and the community s needs. The Northern Rangelands Trust relies on the goodwill of people and organizations worldwide to support Kalama s ambitious conservation programme - a programme that provides people and wildlife a better life. This is not just about money, it s about new ideas, commitment and continuity. If you would like to make a donation to the Northern Rangelands Trust, please contact: Kenya and Worldwide Northern Rangelands Trust Elodie Sampéré Head of Conservation Marketing elodie@lewa.org In the United States The Nature Conservancy Mollie Fager Director of Philanthropy mfager@tnc.org In the United Kingdom Tusk Trust Adele Emmett Fundraising Manager info@tusk.org If you would like to be more directly involved in the activities of the Kalama Community Wildlife Conservancy, contact your Lodge Manager. Our Conservation Partners The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. Working in all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 countries, TNC uses sound science and objective analysis to protect habitats from grasslands to coral reefs. Drawing from nearly 60 years of experience in conservation, The Nature Conservancy is helping Northern Rangelands Trust by providing expertise in landscape-scale conservation planning. Together, NRT and TNC are working with local conservancies such as this one to identify critical species and habitats and ways to abate the treats facing them. For more information, please visit TNC s Web site at nature.org. Tusk Trust. Tusk Trust was formed 20 years ago in the UK with a clear aim to support conservation initiatives throughout Africa. Since its launch the Trust has raised approximately $15,000,000. The Trust aims to provide practical support to conserve areas of natural habitat for the benefit of both wildlife and surrounding communities. It contributes substantial funds for the protection and conservation of many endangered species. Tusk is a major contributor to a number of key wildlife areas such as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the Mkomazi, Selous, Northern Rangelands Trust and Niassa Game Reserves, as well as Ruaha, Meru, and Tsavo East National Parks. Tusk also provides significant development funding to remote rural community projects to enable them to preserve their wildlife and eco-systems. Eco-tourism lodges such as those at Il Ngwesi, Namunyak and Lekurruki in northern Kenya, are prime examples of how Tusk s support is being put to good use. For more information, please visit Tusk Trust s website at tusk.org. NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST

15 NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST NORTHERN RANGELANDS TRUST PRESS BOOK This press book contains newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and many other articles that have been written about the Northern Rangelands Trust. We hope you enjoy reading about our projects. Contact for more information. 15