TWO MANAGEMENT PLANS LAUNCED TO PROTECT AMBOSELI ECOSYSTEM

Date Published:

Monday, December 14, 2020 - 12:30

Two management plans have been launched to curb unplanned change of land use within Amboseli Ecosystem in Kajiado County, which is threatening the sustainability of wildlife conservation.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Hon. Najib Balala launched the Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan alongside the Amboseli National Park Management plan at a ceremony held at the park’s Kimana gate.

Hon. Balala affirmed the government’s commitment to protect Amboseli National Park’s wildlife migratory corridor from human invasion.

The ten-year integrated management plans have been necessitated by numerous human-wildlife conflicts arising from human activities around the park and along wildlife migratory corridors.

The Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan outlaws activities within or along migratory routes to facilitate and maintain wildlife habitat connectivity.

The Cabinet Secretary said that there was diverse public participation in the development of the two management plans adding all stakeholders, especially land owners were consulted.

Hon. Balala said the redefined land use and zoning is critical to safeguard the future of the park and promoting safe, governable beneficial human and wildlife environment.

The CS said wildlife corridors cannot be blocked, noting Amboseli National Park relies on Kyulu Hills and Tsavo west National parks. He directed that from January 2021, no projects competing with wildlife conservation will be approved within the corridors.

Before the launch , Hon. Balala witnessed the collaring of a male giraffe inside the park to enable its close monitoring. Earlier, KWS personnel had collared a lion in the park

KWS Director General Brigadier (Rtd) John Waweru said KWS and its partners in Amboseli have strengthened their relationship with the local community to ensure a harmonious co-existence between wildlife and people. He added that in collaboration with the Amboseli Ecosystem Trust and partners, KWS has developed human wildlife co-existence protocols to guide response to negative human wildlife interactions.