Community based conservation and ecotourism as an environmental management practice for climate change adaptation in Ewaso Nyiro arid land ecosystem, Samburu County Kenya
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Date
2013Author
Ogara, OW
Seneiya, Olesarioyo J
Ongoro, Eunice Boruru
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Communities inhabiting the fragile Arid and Semi-Arid (ASALs) ecosystems of Northern Kenya are
strongly impacted by climate variability and change. Their pastoral livelihoods are threatened.
Community based approach to environmental resources conservation and ecotourism have provided
an alternative source of livelihood worth considering. This study was conducted in two districts;
Samburu and Laikipia, Northern Kenya in three community based conservancies of Namunyak,
Naibung’a and Westgate. The study used quantitative and qualitative participatory research design. The
findings indicated that community based conservation and ecotourism indeed was an appropriate
practice for community adaptation to climate change impacts in the ASALs. It offered opportunities for
livelihood diversification away from pastoralism that was resilient enough to climate change, and
provided the community with a sense of ownership for their resources and created community
cohesion which is an important asset for rural community social capital. The study concluded that
community based conservation should be looked at as a strategy for climate change adaptation and
community resource management.
Citation
J. Environ. Sci. Water Resourc. Vol. 2(4), pp. 106 - 111, May 2013Publisher
Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi,College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences Department of Sociology and Social work, University of Nairobi
Subject
Climate changeEcotourism
Community conservation
Conservancy
Adaptation
Livelihoods
Samburu
Laikipia