The Wildlife Conservation Society/Disney Conservation Fund ( WCS/Disney) “Reverse the Decline: Making Kenya’s Elephants a Model for the Rest of the Continent by Stopping the Killing, Stopping the Trafficking, and Stopping the Demand” Project (Disney Project) started in February 2018, with the focus on the reduction of human-elephant conflict (HEC) around Mukogodo Forest.
2020 activities contributing to this goal included the installation of camera traps at Loontana Spring in Lekurruki Conservancy and training of the ILMAMUSI CFA rangers and Lekkurruki community members on camera trap monitoring and data extraction. Camera traps are being used to monitor wildlife use of the spring, and will be visited monthly, photos retrieved, and the images shared with all partners in the Project.
More camera traps will be installed as part of the new water project in Il Ngwesi Conservancy.
Loiragai Spring, at the border of Borana and Il Ngwesi Conservancies, was first protected in 1986, and a gravity system was installed to provide water for people, livestock, and wildlife. However, due to challenges of maintenance, the distance of the pipeline, flash flooding and wildlife damage, the pipeline failed. Lack of water at the water troughs caused Human Elephant Conflicts (HEC) at remaining water points in the Community Conservancy.
The Spring serves a population of about 800 people in Sanga village, and beyond. Most importantly, it is located in a well-known elephant corridor. Since the water line failed, community members have had a huge challenge in obtaining water.
During one of the community awareness meetings on the new water project, Rose Karmushu, a resident of Sanga Village and a member of the Loiragai Spring Water Committee, was elated that the spring is being rehabilitated and that women can now access water closer to home and safely separated from wildlife. She specifically mentioned how challenging it has been for people and elephants as they sought water in the area.
ILMAMUSI CFA and Il Ngwesi Conservancy have worked in close cooperation and formed a Loraigai Water Project Committee comprising of 13 members (6 men and 7 women). They have been trained with the support of Disney funds and MKEWP in proper management of the new water system to ensure sustainability.
The Water Project Committee was trained on
(1) Introduction to group dynamics for community water projects
(2) Leadership and governance of community water projects
(3) Legal requirements for C.W. Ps [water act 2016, linkage with WRA and WRUA]
(4) Operational and maintenance of C.W.P [daily operations practices, tools and equipment’s needed, monthly operations etc.]
(5) Financial management,
(6) Project monitoring, reporting and evaluation and
(7) Future project growth, fundraising and sustainability.
Il Ngwesi Conservancy management is strongly involved in the rehabilitation effort and will directly supervise the new Committee to ensure the of the project. A metered abstraction system will be installed to monitor abstraction at all water access points. Water fees will be collected monthly at household level and are designed to support operations, repairs, and maintenance (sustainability) of the water supply system.
Due to the extent of the rehabilitation cost, the Laikipia Wildlife Forum, Il MAMUSI CFA, and Il Ngwesi have partnered with World Vision Kenya – IMARA Project, to complete the water project. Each partner has a specific role in the rehabilitation effort and dedicated timelines for completion of the activities are agreed in an MOU.
LWF has already started their rehabilitation activities and progress will be shared with all stakeholders.
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