Ali Kaka East African Wildlife Society

1. Ali Kaka East African Wildlife Society

2. Wildlife Conservation in East Africa: A Historical Perspective • State control • No community involvement • No benefits and limited or nil compensation for losses

3. Kenyan Results • Limited Tolerance • Impatience • Anger • Hatred • Deliberate destruction (25% loss of wildlife, Parks included)

4. Number of CBTs (CCAs) in Kenya • Few of these with steady income • Distribution of income, governance – challenging • Translation into conservation objectives – not clear • Legal framework – not clear

5. Important Lessons: • People living near and with wildlife need to be consulted and involved • Involvement and active participation early – crucial • Solid stake in tourism – helps appreciate responsibilities

6. Still challenging: • Govt. understanding of concept • Habit of not listening or understanding peoples needs • More talk with conservationists • Incentives for Pvt. sector • Governance and legal framework • Sense of “ownership” lacking

7. Wildlife Policy & Legislation: • 5 attempts • Major external influence • Uncertain of hunting & utilisation (Hara kiri syndrome in the industry).Photo tourism too big. Thus used as a threat to discourage gvt. • Very low professional capacity in KWS(on other options, except park mgmt and security)

8. Conclusion (crucial for wildlife): • Incentives for community and goodwill • Consultations and consistent involvement • Sense of ownership • Joint oversight:Pvt sect+comm.+conservationsits+Govt. • Clear policies on roles and responsibilities • Devolve authority and responsibilities • No one ideal formula for CBT approach. But PRINCIPLES are crucial and Community MUST be the PRIMARY beneficiary for LONG TERM success of models.

9. If not: • Continued loss of wildlife and habitats (neither guns nor gallows will reverse the decline) • No interest in conservation. Other options for land use will prevail • Parks as core areas will be more isolated and face extinction

10. THANK YOU !