NEws
Grassroots
August 2017
Vol. 17, No.3
22
A final, major factor is competition for pasture and other resources between the communities in the area, who rely on livestock, and the wildlife. This leads to apathy for conservation and a lack of participation by locals in recovery efforts.
What can be done to save them?
Based on my research I believe that the following measures would help save the hirola:
- Since there is a link between community livelihoods and hirola habitat, conservation projects must be supported by local communities. Trained, local scientists should be encouraged to take the lead in these. Communities are more likely to embrace conservation as a form of land-use if it’s not led by outsiders.
- More protected areas should be created and existing sites need restoration. A part of this includes the restoration of the Arawale National Reserve which is at the centre of the hirola’s geographic range. This is a government protected area in Garissa County that used to thrive but has been neglected since 1982.
Because of the massive tree encroachment in the area that reduced grasslands, I also recommend:
- Manual tree removal, to reduce tree encroachment on grassland, and native grass reseeding to increase food for the hirola;
- Voluntary reduction in livestock numbers to minimise overgrazing and competition between hirola and livestock;
- Community-based protection of elephants – in the form of anti-poaching squads and enhanced communication between villages – so that elephant herds can be safe on community land;
- Finally, there’s a big need for sustained funding. Conservation efforts tend to focus on other species in Kenya.
Cli
Chair