Mangar Community Conservancy and Geosite: A Beacon of Environmental and Cultural Preservation
Founded in 2019, the Mangar Community Conservancy and Geosite began with a mission to conserve the natural resources of Mangar, continuing the legacy of stewardship passed down by its forefathers. Officially registered in 2024, the Conservancy now boasts 210 members from the Sabor and Kimalel locations in Baringo South’s Marigat Ward. As the newest member of the Baringo County Conservancies Association (BCCA), Mangar is guided by a gender-balanced, ten-member board, and two volunteering rangers serving 2,100 direct beneficiaries within the Kimalel area.
Mangar is home to a unique spring that never dries, even during droughts, providing a vital source of clean water for both domestic use and livestock. The conservancy safeguards a variety of wildlife, including the rare Batters monkey, cliff springer, kaalgat, leopards, rock hyrax, and greater kudu. The rare Batters monkey, in particular, attracted the famous Crane family in 2023. Mangar is home to nine different species of this monkey, known for their slow reproductive rates- almost like a natural form of family planning!
Visitors to Mangar can also marvel at a unique species of fish, no larger than a human finger, which has adapted to avoid being swept away by floods. The conservancy is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, offering sightings of rare species like the green pigeon, as well as various butterflies.
Mangar is more than just a wildlife conservancy; it is a sacred site. The spring and a nearby hill are recognized as shrines where forefathers conducted rain-prayer rituals during droughts. These areas have been carefully protected and conserved by the Mangar Community Conservancy and Geosite.
As a tributary of the Perkerra River and a sanctuary for crocodiles, Mangar also plays a critical role in indigenous tree conservation, focusing on species like tamarind and various acacias. The conservancy’s efforts are supported by events such as the Rhino Charge, which funded the establishment of their office and the piping of clean water from the spring.
Mangar Conservancy also empowers the local community through income-generating initiatives. The women’s group engages in table banking, catering, and renting out chairs for events, while also weaving baskets and ropes for sale in major markets.
Hiking trails and the annual cultural dance event on January 1st draw visitors from all walks of life, raising awareness of conservation’s importance and impact. As a result, poaching has decreased, charcoal burning has been reduced, and tree cover has increased within the conservancy.
Looking to the future, the Conservancy plans to establish tree nurseries and aloe vera plantations, create a campsite, enhance safety measures along the Mangar cliff, and develop a Tugen cultural center.
Join us in supporting Mangar Community Conservancy and Geosite- a place where conservation and culture unite, ensuring that the natural and cultural heritage of Mangar thrives for generations to come.
