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EAWLS Newsletter
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Letter from the Director
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The report on the Boni forest in this newsletter raises a number of issues. Prior to the new constitution, land that was not public or private was referred to as ‘trust’ land. The trustees for such land was the local council, who could decide to allow a change of use, without reference to the local communities living there. On the other hand there are examples of the county councils creating forest reserves and seeking Kenya Forest Service assistance in managing those forests, but illegal activities still flourish.
In the case of Boni, there are illegal activities occurring, which are being blamed on KFS, but in this case the council has not provided KFS with any role. The underlying question in all three scenarios, is what incentive does any of them provide to communities for taking a real and solid interest in conserving these forests. Read More
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In April 2011 Newsletter!
- CCA planning goes to Kenya’s south coast
- Second 2011 SWARA issue in print
- Wildlife crime hotline live
- The forgotten Boni Forest
- Kenya wetlands conservation update
- Plans afoot to eradicate noxious Mara weed
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CCA planning goes to Kenya’s south coast
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In recent times, there has been a progressive shift towards involving local communities formally and more effectively in the management of natural resources, including protected areas, and encouraging them to manage their own resources in ways that are compatible with agreed conservation goals.
This has been done through participatory approaches such as protected area outreach, community conservancies, and collaborative management. Read More
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Second issue of SWARA 2011 in print
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The second issue of SWARA 2011 - volume 34, Number 2, April-June 2011, Endangered Species special - is ready and should be coming to your mail box any time soon. This issue looks at the intricacies of conserving some of the most endangered large mammals and their habitats. Exceptional authors look at the new threat to the Maasai Mara that is posed by invasion of the noxious alien weed, Parthenium, the delicate task of artificial breeding of rhinos, conservation of the little known but highly endangered Hirola antelope among others.
All articles are dressed in the beautiful and high quality photography that has characterised SWARA and its predecessors for more than 40 years. Below is a peek into what you should expect to read when you get your copy. If you are not a member, you can join now and you wont miss this and future issues of SWARA.
Welcome on board. Read More
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Wildlife crime hotline goes live
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Alarming increase in rhino and elephant poaching in Kenya has led the Kenya Wildlife Conservation Forum (KWCF) to establish a hotline where the public can call to report poaching and other wildlife crimes. The hotline, which became operational early this month, will be used to report cases of wildlife crime and other emergency wildlife issues such as human wildlife conflict and is part of a two pronged approach to fight poaching. The second part of the approach is to task the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to be more proactive and accountable in tackling wildlife crime. Read More
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Boni Forest: The forgotten jewel of the Kenya coast
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The little known Boni coastal forest has exceptional abundance of biodiversity consisting of a most varied ecosystem that provides refuge for endangered mammals such as elephants, Hirola and Wild dog. But, as the Kenya Forest Working Group (KFWG) found out when they visited the forest on 4th and 5th April, perceived insecurity, poor infrastructure and remoteness of the region has ensured that the forest is largely unknown to conservationists and scientists with very little conservation effort in place.. Read More
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What’s new in Kenya wetlands conservation?
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The Kenya Wetlands Forum continues to be a watchdog for Kenya’s wetlands. Holding monthly meetings enables members to stay informed of the ongoing activities aimed at conserving and protecting the wetlands. KWF met on 31 March 2011 and several important updates were discussed.
Tana River Delta
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Plans afoot to eradicate noxious Mara weed
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The Narok County Council has promised, together with other organisations, to avail resources to eradicate the nasty Parthenium weed that has invaded the Maasai Mara in recent months.
Arne Witt, who's authored a comprehensive article on the subject in SWARA Vol. 34 No. 2 - April June 2011, wrote to EAWLS early this month informing us that the council is equally concerned and is committed to the eradication of the weed. Witt had just returned from a week long survey of the Maasai Mara... Read More
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