Chuine Wildlife Conservancy (CWC)

Conservancy Details

Vision

A conservancy in which biodiversity as an ecosystem service is highly valued and appreciated for mutual benefit.

Mission

To recognize the value of biodiversity and work with the landowners and the community to ensure that the Fauna and flora are well conserved for co-existence and spur socio-economic growth.

Purpose of the Conservancy

To recognize the value of biodiversity and work with the landowners and the community to ensure that the Fauna and flora are well conserved for co-existence and spur socio-economic growth.

The conservancy was proposed and a committee set-up in 2002 after the community was sensitized in 2001. It was then registered in 2010.

Introduction

The conservancy is situated in the North Eastern part of Sandai Location within Lake Bogoria landscape in Marigat sub-county. It neighbors Ilchamus, Kiserian, Chebinyiny and Arabal locations. The community that holds the conservancy is Endorois but also neighbors Ilchamus community. The conservancy is a C.B.O, a member of Baringo County Conservancy Association and its now working out to be a member of KWCA and other regional bodies.

The Pearl of Chuine Wildlife Conservancy

The area has a very rich flora and fauna according to an inventory obtained in 2005, the striking ones being the Greater Kudu, Klipspringer, Elands, Zebras, Dikdik and Buffalos among others. There are also very interesting features such as gorges, air vent and viewpoints. The said project site falls under Sandai wooded grassland whose importance  include grassland for livestock and wildlife grazing, wildlife corridor and breeding area, medicinal value, cultural value and historical sites. According to a survey carried out in 2009, on spatial variation in value of ecosystem services, Chuine rates second after Lake Bogoria National Reserve on ecosystem and biodiversity. However, it was rated 1st in the location. This shows the community’s realization of the importance of wildlife.Water, food and grazing for livestock scored highly according to the mean score for ecosystem services.

Governance Structure

The conservancy is well structured in its organization that gives it a cutting edge in the management of the conservancy. It has 304 members whose opinions and voice are paramount especially during annual general meetings. The next is the management committee which deliberates on the issues or opinions raised, make decisions, implement and manage day- to- day conservancy activities. Then there is the council of elders consisting of 12 members who give advisory services, identify bonafide members and solve conflicts. In the near future, plans are underway to recruit staff who will deal with management issues directly. These include a manager, an accountant, and secretary and game rangers. There is also a constitution with by-laws that ensure that the conservancy is well governed.

Gender Mainstreaming

The conservancy members are being sensitized on the importance of recognizing women as a special group deserving equal rights with men according to the constitution of Kenya 2010. We are happy that some of them have started to understand and as a result, there are 4 women in our committee of 13 members. The women were nominated by their respective families to represent them. Women have also being given right to register as individual members. Initially, only men register themselves due to landowners aspect. However, there is need to carry out more sanitization to ensure full implementation of the gender rule. This should also include vulnerable groups such as youth, persons with disabilities and indigenous people. However, there is need to carry out more sanitization to ensure full implementation of the gender rule. This should also include vulnerable groups such as youth, persons with disabilities and indigenous people.

Challenges and Sustainability

  • The main challenge is the degradation and the loss of indigenous shrubs and trees that were a lifeline for livestock and wild animals through charcoal burning.
  • Poaching
  • Encroachment
  • Soil erosion
  • Climate change
  • Human- wildlife conflict

Possible solutions

In order to address the challenges above, members are currently carrying out the following activities:

  • Regeneration of Destroyed and degraded vegetation and Water springs
  • Create awareness  on grazing plan and implementation
  • Demarcate and map the land
  • Develop a land use plan
  • Rehabilitate water pan dams.

In future, there is need to employ staff, especially game rangers in order to protect the conservancy.

Monitoring and Evaluation

As mentioned earlier, all stakeholders are involved from decision making implementation to the overall achievement of the project. In between, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and tools will be applied to ensure success of the project. First of all, there is an implementation plan and time frame in place in which all stakeholders will be aware of and to be adhered to. Most of the activities shall be implemented by subcommittees which will report to the overall committee which is the overseer and lead implementor. During the implementation plan stage, all parties shall agree on their respective roles and responsibilities including mentoring and evaluating mechanisms. There will be three stages of monitoring and evaluation namely: Activity-based, Mid-course or formative and the summative or evaluation. There will also be two groups: internal and external teams to monitor and evaluate the project. After every stage, findings, corrections and adjustments will be made appropriately as agreed upon by all stakeholders. Monitoring and evaluation tools and mechanisms will include meetings, onsite visits and documentation. Finally, at the end of the project period, achievements shall be celebrated.

Sustainability

Being a critical aspect, the following sustainability strategies are put in place:

  • Membership and subscription fees from interested community members.
  • Engaging partners to solicit for funds and other resources
  • Well wishers` contributions Institutional contributions e.g.  KEFRI, KFS, UNIVERSITIES,KWS,KVDA,NEMA,NMK
  • Establishment of tree nursery
  • Seed harvests which are sold and used for re-seeding
  • Fees collected from grazing plans for fattening livestock
  • Seeds and seedlings sales
  • Support from the County government and development partners
  • Introduction of tourism activities.
  • Enterprise development, for instance Bee keeping and livestock improvement and bead work.
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