Thursday, March 12, 2009

Nairobi National Park Management

For some years now, the focus of the authorities legally mandated with managing East Africa's Protected Areas -TANAPA in Tanzania & KWS in Kenya-has been on revenue collection.
Not surprising in poor countries wanting to maximise benefits from the marvellous & unique natural splendours of the region you might think.
But what of protecting & managing these areas for maximum benefit for future generations to do the same (that is more & better revenue maximisation in the future?)
The fact is that Protected Areas are neither being protected, nor are they being managed efficiently.
Take Nairobi National Park. A policy of benign neglect prevails, with 2 gates closed or used by Annual pass holders only (out of 4).The park is full of wind-blown litter & detritus thrown out by careless visitors, none of which is picked up by KWS staff.
A reported 20,000 hungry & emaciated Maasai cattle graze in the park day & night & yet overseas visitors are having to pay $40 to see them amongst the herds of hungry wild grazers that are all in the park right now owing to the on-going drought.
The Warden says he is 'powerless' to act, yet brand new landcruisers speed through the park day & night (for 2 consecutive nights now they have killed nightjars on the park roads:through speeding & driving at night,both against Park Regulations........)
What exactly are they doing?
Recently I was stopped by an officious Park official whilst out of my vehicle picking up litter, for breaking the rules.
What rules when the park is overrun by individuals & their vast herds of cattle?
Welcome to Nairobi National Park in 2009.

No comments: