Presented by: Paul Kilelu

General Manager;

CURRENT STATUS

Empaash Oloirienito Conservancy (EOC)

Eco-Tourism Model

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Individual and local communities’ participation and partnership in management and conservation of natural resources is a key focal area in modern natural resource management.

Deliberate efforts by both conservation institutions and communities towards this goal do abound in a few areas in Kenya, encouraging more such efforts.

However, for a conservancy to be successful and sustainable, a number of prerequisites have to be met prior to establishment.

Using a Conservancy Development & Sustainability Tool (CDS) based on past successful projects in Kenya, EOC data was collected and analyzed using a combination of direct interviews with the owner/community and field observations and mapping.

GIS overlay analyses were performed on field data using ESRI’S ArcGis9.3 desktop applications to obtain various required information which was then subjected to the CDS tool.

Results showed that out of the 3485 Ha of the EOC, dense shrub land vegetation is covering 1,393 Ha (39.4 % ) of the conservancy), followed by Scrub land at 829 Ha (27.4 %); Open Shrub land vegetation covering 816 Ha (18.5 %); and wooded shrub land at 447 Ha (14.7%).

Main land use was pastoralism where a variety of livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys are kept.

EOC scored well on the feasibility study tool showing that it is feasible. The overall weighted mean score was 80.55% which was variously distributed amongst the evaluated major pre- requisite categories.

Feasibility study recommend : capacity building on conservation entrepreneurship as the best next

step to be taken in order to guarantee success and sustainability. capacity building on proposal development and targeting of global

adaptation funds, carbon financing and alternative green energies and technologies.

creation of more watering points within the conservancy to attract and sustain various animals during the dry seasons

Enhanced and urgent efforts in the conservation and preservation of the African sandal wood (Osyris lanceolata) which is under significant threat

construction of access roads, motor able tracks and foot trails which can be used for patrols and monitoring activities.

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EOCResults/Implementation Framework

STP1 Idea generation and Community

Buy in

STP5: Monitoring,

Evaluation & Research

Cross-Cutting Elements

Community & Partners Participation, Livelihood Innovation, Sustainability

STP 2: Feasibility

Study & Proposal

STP3: Survey and Land Use Mapping

IR 4.1: Community

Ownership & Sustainability

IR 4.2

Endangered species

protection

IR 4.3: Integrated eco-

tourism as alternative

livelihood & Conservation

Incentive

IR 4.4: Increased

Conservation & Other Capacity

through education fund

IR4.1: Sustainability

IR4.2: Species protected increase in number

IR4.3: Number of House holds sustainable incomeIR4.4: Level of Conservation Capacity

IR4.5: Level of Access to Education

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STP 4: Conservation

& Eco- Tourism

Aimed at responding to the Community livelihoods and Environmental Conservation needs of Empaash Community by implementing three unique and tailored packages of services.

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Capacity Building PackageBased on developing the community conservation and entrepreneurship

Capacities as well as increased access to education

Conservation/Livelihoods

Package Targets multiple clients aimed at

concerted conservation that integrates community livelihoods development,

including: eco-tourism, research, CBETEs,

Partnerships Building Package

Initiation and formalization of strategic partnerships and linkages to leverage

limited resources and maximize the sustainability of improved Conservation

outcomes

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Community Mobilization• Started by developing the EOC concept based on other Kenyan

Experiences: An Integrated community conservation and livelihood model

• Sharing idea with few land owners, then mobilized several more through the first “converts”

• Scaling up from initial 15 to currently 30 land owners• Strategic partnership with relevant Government agencies and other

resource partnersProject Formalization• Project concept grounding resource mobilization and feasibility

study• Detailed proposal development• Strategic partners development• Pilot Phase implementation• Project Scale up.

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Performance on the feasibility evaluation tool results of the mean scores as scored by four evaluators including

one the conservancy managers. EOC scored well on evaluation criterion and is a feasible idea;

overall weighted mean score was 80.55% variously distributed amongst the evaluated major pre- requisite categories as indicated in table below:

Pre-requisite CategoryWeighted Score %

Definition of Conservation area and identification 86.3Products & Market Identification 87.5Tourism attractions 57.5Conservation value 55.6Support 60Tourism Potential 100Potential Economic Benefit to local community 50Total average score 80.6

EOC has met much of the prerequisites for establishing a conservancy and is fit to be registered as a conservancy.

Needs enhancement of the entrepreneurial capacity as the best next step to be taken in order for the conservancy to succeed and be sustainable, including:

Capacity to identify unique and profitable enterprises through; innovation, research and business/ enterprise consultant.

Possible additional enterprises: 1) Proposals targeted at Global adaptation funding, 2) Exploration of carbon Financing and 3) Exploration of alternative green energy and technologies

Create more watering points to attract and sustain more animals in dry season such as Elands, lesser kudu, gerenuks, Leopards, zebras and other ungulate population.

Enhance efforts in the conservation and preservation of the African sandal wood (Osyris lanceolata) which is significant and at verge of complete disappearance if the current threat escalates.

Construction of access roads, motor able tracks and foot trails for use in patrols and monitoring activities.

Community:2. Ole Matura family3. Initial community meetings4. 15 families agree to concept, others adopt wait and see view.5. Second phase has high demand but only 15 more allowed in.6. Aztramade Consulting & ICCAR for technical Assistance.Relevant GoK Agencies:8. KWS, Ngong station9. Forest Service10. Ministry of Tourism11. Others.Resource /Business Partners:13. KWS, Eco-tourism Kenya, Ministry of Tourism14. Jazz for Peace, 15. MEWG, Mara North Conservancy16. Others

3 year project creates 13 new positions and at least 20 indirect jobs.

Main Eco-lodge to create at least 15 direct and at least 30 indirect jobs

Conservancy security needs creates 15 ranger jobs and at least 15 indirect jobs.

CBETES to create jobs for 4 groups of 60 women and 30 men and 90 indirect jobs.

Overall at Completion; 130 Direct and 155 indirect jobs = 285 jobs.

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ICCAR

Empaash Oloirienito Conservancy

MEWG

Ashe Oleng!

Thank you very much!