| dc.description.abstract | The setting up of National Parks in Kenya is
functional and they playa definite role, in conserving
natural faunal and floral resources for the present
and future generations. At the same time, the existence
of the parks contributes a substantial amount of foreign
exchange earnings through tourism. Apparently due to
socio-economic reasons, parks are threatened by growing
settlements out side their borders. Nairobi National
park presents a case where land uses are varied ranging '
from urban development in Nairobi area and Athi River
Town to open ra~~eland in the Kitengela Game conservation
area. However, if the park has to remain, there
has to be achieved that has to be maintained so as to
avoid encroachment into the natural area.
The study was undertaken by using questionnaires,
informal and formal interviews, as well as by observations
and through published materials. The purpose was to
find the level of popularity and the activities of the
visitors to type park. Secondly, to find out the opinions
of the local residents in the Kitengela area about the
park's existence and their role in the park's planning
and management. The level of facilities provided in the
park and role of institutions was also analysed.
~
From the study it was observed that there are
various problems which exist and hinder the planning of
the park. The prominent ones being land use conflicts
(v)
in the peripheral areas, poor infrastructural and lack
of certain visitor facilities. Besides in absence
of an institutional body to ameliorate the problems
related to land. The major findings revealed that only
of those who owned cars visited the park.
Nevertheless, majority of the respondents felt
the park provided a prime opportunity in that it
, "-
.' facilitated them to visit it in a short period of 2-3
hours. The respondents were of the opinion that the park
should not be interfered with any type of development.
The local residents especially of the Kitengela
Game Conservation Area felt very negative towards the
wildlife since it was a threat to their property.
Given the need to conserve the park for recreational
and educational purposes, it therefore important
that physical planners should get involved in formulating
land use plans whereby they intergrate other land uses with
such a land use and try to find ways and means in order
to harmonize land use.
However as is proposed in the study a physical
plan will enable to solve land use problems in the park's
periphery and try to provide visitor facilities and
maintain the existing ones~ Besides a Land Use Committee's
structure and function has been proposed which will
enable proper co-ordination among various authorities
concerned with the park's planning | en |
