Lake Baringo: Addressing threatened biodiversity and livelihoods

Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management 2006 11: 1-13
Lake Baringo: Addressing threatened biodiversity
and livelihoods
Eric O. Odada,
'Department
*1
Japheth O. Onyando/
of Geology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, 2Department
and 3Department
and Peninah A. Obudho"
of Agricultural
Engineering,
Egerton University, Njoro,
of Zoology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract
Lake Baringo is a shallow, internal drainage,
source of water for humans
of the conditions
conservation,
sedimentation
prevailing
lake located in the Kenyan Rift Valley. The lake is an important
and livestock, as well as a significant
such as tourism, biodiversity
as to greatly enhanced
freshwater
income source for local communities
through
activities
and fish sold in local markets. The lake has been subject to over fishing, as well
as a result of land use changes in the drainage basin. This paper provides an overview
at Lake Baringo, and examines
in detail the management
response
lake. The roles of the many and varied institutions
in the lake basin's management
internationally
the situation is provided.
funded projects designed
to ameliorate
to the problems
are discussed,
facing the
and an analysis of
Key words
biodiversity,
fishing moratorium,
Global Environment
Facility, Lake Baringo, lake basin management,
land use change, sedimentation.
use and livestock consumption.
INTRODUCTION
Lake Baringo
is named
after the local word 'Mparingo',
Other important
uses are
income generation through tourism, biodiversity conservation
which means lake. It is located in the eastern Rift Valley in
and fishing activities. The composition
Kenya, being one of the seven inland drainage lakes within
species includes Oreochromis niloticus, Protopterus aethiopicus,
the Rift Valley drainage basin. The lake has a surface area
of about 108 km2 and drains a total area of 6820 km2
Three
(Fig. 1). It is located
namely, the Ilchamus, Pokots and Tugens. These communities
Baringo
neighbouring
Several
districts
seasonal
01 Arabel,
Perkerra
exhibit
in the administrative
district
at 1000 m a.s.l., with its basin extending
of Koibatek,
rivers
Makutan,
drain
Laikipia and Nakuru.
into the lake, including
Tangulbei,
Endao
and Molo are perennial
significantly
reduced
of
to the
and Chemeron.
rivers,
water
although
discharges
they
during
Clarias gariepinus, Barbus intermedius and Labeo cylindricus.
indigenous
human
earn their living through
As pastoralists,
pastoralism
they maintain
which. overgraze
enhanced
communities
soil erosion,
degradation
are deforestation
loss of biodiversity
annual rainfall of 450-900 mm. Thus, its survival depends
on the inflows from rivers originating from the humid hill
these
slopes
and other stakeholders
of the drainage
varies between
basin, where
very
high
the annual rainfall
activities
government,
body, Lake Baringo is important
to the
in its basin as a source of water for domestic
degradation
management
• Baringo
with
have
other
drawn
non-governmental
ment interventions,
1100 and 2700 mm.
As a freshwater
communities
experiences
in streams
and conventional
including
Baringo
of cattle,
leading
to
and
the lake, and frequent flash floods. Other activities causing
annual evaporation rates of 1650-2300 mm, compared to an
Lake
numbers
vegetation,
sedimentation
Together
seasons.
live in the basin;
and agro-pastoralism.
large
the catchment
practices.
dry
of the lake's fish
forms
agricultural
of degradation,
and declines
the
in fisheries,
attention
organizations
of the need to carry
out manage-
with the aim of minimizing
of the lake. Past interventions
of the
(NGOs)
further
for the resource
in the lake drainage basin include:
.semi-arid
project
for
land
rehabilitation
(1980-1989)
*Correspondence.
Accepted
Email: [email protected]
for publication
?????? 2006.
Doi: 10.1111/j.144()'1770.2006.00309.x
• African Land Development
provision of water (1940s)
for grazing
schemes
and
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
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E. O. Odada et al.
2
• Kenya Livestock Development
Programme
for group
ranches (1960-1970)
• FAOproject for fuel and fodder (1982-87)
The approaches
adopted
sustainable management
ment, diversification
and microenterprises.
and soil and water
the degradation
on certain
resources,
sources
direct conservation
measures.
in carrying
fishing
• Public
Research
Institute;
institutions
Institute
practices
tend to
pressures
the provi-
or by effecting
The institutions
- Kenya
(KMFRI);
moratoria,
also are in
land, through
out these management
involved
Kenya
Agricultural
organizations
The past management
institutions
The need for integrated
ized from lessons
involvement
Facility
learned
of UNEP
Research
and Development;
and Natural Resources;
Ministry
integrated
awareness
was real-
from past projects.
Thus, the
the
Global
Environmental
the Lake Baringo
facilitate
management
sound
Project, has
and its
and creation of
were undertaken,
and facilitation
management
Community-
of the lake
capacity-building
of local communities
with coordination
- Honey
was mainly sectoral in
Based (LBCB) Land and Water Management
basin. In this programme,
Kenya Forestry
(CBOs)
management
and
(GEF) , through
Marine
and Fisheries
of Arid
of the lake and its basin carried
out by the above-noted
nature.
Rehabilitation
Trust
facilitated
of Water Resources
Ministry of Environment
Vision;
activities include:
Baringo County Council; Ministry of Agriculture
(MoA); Ministry
Environment
• Community-based
of income,
and
- Block Hotels
World
Care; Women's Groups
by reducing
especially
sion of alternative
-
manage-
practices,
either
• NGOs
systems,
place in the lake and its basin. These
reduce
for the
resource
Furthermore,
conservation
Fisheries;
agroforestry
for natural
of agriculture,
and
• Private organizations
by the stakeholders
of the lake basin include empower-
ing the local communities
of Livestock
Research Institute
together
of the stakeholders,
of Lake
Baringo
to
and its
drainage basin.
Background
Lake Baringo is a freshwater
population
Lake Baringo Basin
lake with importance
to the
basin as a source of water for
domestic use and for watering livestock. It is also a source
KEr~YI\
Dralnaqe
basin boundary
District boundary
River
c»
of its drainage
of food, especially
fish, to the community.
The
current
species composition of the lake is as follows: 0. niloticus
(80.4%), P. aethiopicus (7.95%), C. gariepinus (9.8%), B.
intermedius
(0.96%) and
appears in the fishermen's
disappeared
from
cylindric us. Barbus
rarely
the lake
which
since
the damming
interfered
BdrinGC!
Dislrict
habits (Aloo 2002). The lake also is a source of vegetation
(e.g. Aeshynomena
for boat construction,
with
of its
inflowing
products
rivers,
L.
catches, while Labeo has almost
its breeding
elephroxyloni, which
and water lily for making
is used
domestic
bread (ugali). About 500 families live in Kampi ya Samaki,
a centre that has grown mainly because of fishing activities
LF.likipii.l
District
in the lake.
fishermen,
Half of the
population
with 300 being fish handlers.
living through
such activities
result of an overdependence
remarkable
N
estimated
t
fluctuation
..-r..;'l it.:)o"~txIr..$ ;'1ft: :IPP.flh'Im,~t.
anG ~~Jh! IY.JI be con~ide;:e-:l
-tlu,tl1::rit-"tlve.
Fig. 1.
The Lake Baringo drainage basin,
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
as boat construction.
in fish production
is
As a
(Fig. 2). The
economic value of the fishery for the year 2002
was based on experimental
fishing, whereas
the year of establishment
of a fishing
Fish is a food source,
BDQr~nes
centre
Others earn their
on fishing, there has been a
derived through interpolation
lLEClO.E>.J""/36.0"lE,Jl:!17f1S
in this
that for 2001,
moratorium,
was
of data.
and the sale of fish to nearby
urban centres also generates income for the local people.
Through fishing activities, the lake provides employment
to the fisherfolk, and to the young tour operators who
own boats. The boats are used by tourists for navigation in
3
the lake. The lake also is an important
because
of its rich biodiversity,
birds and crocodiles,
used as a grazing
dry seasons
hippos,
among others. Its shoreline
ground
when
tourist attraction
which comprises
for livestock, especially
the catchment
the humid zone. The mean annual rainfalls in these zones
are 450-900 mm (semiarid),
800-1400 mm (semihumid),
also is
1000-1600 mm (subhumid),
and 1100-2700 mm (humid).
during
The mean annual potential evaporation
is dry and grass
is
amounts
areas are 1650-2300 mm (semiarid), 1450-2200
for these
mm (semi-
scarce. The local people also use the lake for navigation to
humid),
link the eastern
(humid). The risk of crop failure is 25-75% in the semiarid
Records
and the western
indicate
that
parts of Baringo District.
between
1969 and
1972, the
1300- 2100 mm (subhurnid),
zone, 5-10% in the semihumid
and 1200-2000 mm
zone, 1-5% in the sub-
average depth of the lake was 8 m. In early 2003, before the
humid zone, and <1% in the humid
onset
potential for plant growth in these zones can be classified
of the long rains,
The current
the average
depth
was 1.7 m.
average depth is 2.5 m, with the deepest end of
zone. Similarly, the
as medium to low, high to medium,
high, and very high,
the lake being 3.5 m. This increase in water depth was the
respectively. These figures indicate that the semiarid zone,
result of the prolonged
in which Lake Baringo
long rains during 2003, especially
in the humid upper catchments.
lake has exhibited
a decreasing
area of the
trend. Studies by Onyando
that the area of the lake was 219 km2 in
(2002) revealed
2
in 1986, 114 km2 in 1995, and 108 km2 in
1976, 136 km
2001. Based on these trends,
lake's
The surface
surface
the author extrapolated
area into the future,
surface area will be reduced
trend continues (Fig. 3).
The boundary
suggesting
the
that the
by 50% by 2025 if the current
of the drainage
is located,
requiring
The
urgent conservation
environ-
properties,
thereby
rainfall
attention.
characteristic
of the
basin
is bimodal,
intense, and erratic. The long rains occur in the months of
April to August, whereas
to November.
the short rains fall from October
Daily rainfall monitoring
in the basin dates
back to 1903. Since that time, a total of 101 stations have
been installed in the catchment
basin lies on the Tugen
is a fragile
ment with low natural life-sustaining
by various
including the Kenya Meteorological
organizations,
Department,
research
Hills to the west, the Eldama Ravine ranges to the south,
organizations
only 66 stations
r;;]
and the Laikipia Plateau to the east. These hills rise as high
are currently
operational.
This translates
into a density of 97 km2 gauge:', which is less than the World
I!!J
as 2800 m above mean sea level (a.m.s.l.), while the lake is
at ~1000 m a.m.s.l. The geology of the area is mainly
undifferentiated
volcanic rocks, while the soils are of clay
type. The landscape
the Tugen
Perkerra
River, grading
the floodplains
Although
catchment
through
is characterized
Hills and Eldama
by steep slopes from
Ravine Highlands
to the
in to gentle slopes, and finally to
of Marigat and Lake Baringo.
covers a range of climatic zones, from semiarid
and subhumid,
Meteorological
Organization's
However,
recommendation
gauge:'. Stream flow monitoring
started
stations
installed
that time
at different
times
since
to a small portion in
of 17 km2
as early as 1926,
with a total of 26 river-gauging
having
been
in various
locations in the rivers flowing into Lake Baringo. Most of ~
the above stations are not currently
Lake Baringo is located in a semiarid zone, its
semihumid
and individuals.
poor maintenance
operational
because of
of the gauges. Thus, the available data
contain many gaps, which are a significant
drawback
in
managing the basin's water resources.
500
•
220
200
400
180
i='
is
ME
300
2S
s:
ro
Hro
~
ro
u
s:
VI
200
140
100
~
80
:J
UJ
100
Observed
---0--
Predicted
120
QJ
u
u:::
__
160
60
40
20
0
O+---'---.--'---.---.---r--.---~
1985
1990
1995
2000
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Year
Fig. 2.
Trend of fish production
in Lake 8aringo (comprising
Oreochromis, Ciarias, Barbus, Protopterus and Labeo)
Year
Fig. 3.
Observed and predicted surface area of Lake Baringo
tables.
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
E. O. Odada et al.
4
Lake Baringo
its basin,
is the lifeline
especially
communities
of the communities
in the vicinity
The
of the lake. These
mainly
through
Endao
and Chemeron
I1chamus
population,
form
on the south and eastern
about
50% of the
being mainly pastoralists.
riparian
The Ilchamus
Pokots mainly practise agro-pastoralism,
pastoralism,
derived from the water resources
include the Pokots to the north, the Tugens
to the east, and the I1chamus
sides.
in
and
with emphasis
on
while the Tugens are primarily agriculturalists.
These communities
are politically marginalized,
irrigation
schemes
melons, tomatoes,
abstraction
terrestrial
include,
aquatic
wildlife,
example,
most
access
woodland
and grassland
facilities
Livestock
and other services.
in this area, because
Perkerra,
grown
others,
in the
maize, water
basin is endowed
biodiversity,
different
the I1chamus and the Pokots. Thus, their poverty level is
major problem
among
birds
high, and they have limited
to tap water, health
the
basin,
onions, pawpaws and oranges.
and
about 400-500
from
Rivers. The crops
The Lake Baringo drainage
vegetation,
especially
water
of Lake Baringo
and
fisheries.
bird species
of which
reside
with rich
including
(Gichuki
in areas
and rehabilitated
natural
There
are
2000), for
with
intact
lands.
Such
over-grazing
is a
areas also contain a variety of plant species. Reports
the pastoralists
are
indicate
that there
are about 40-60
also
hippos in the lake,
not willing to reduce the number of their herds to conform
while about 20 crocodiles
with
to the lake, the biodiversity
offers a resource
base for
tourism
tourism
the area
the
available
food
of cattle,
sheep
comprised
critical
periods
biomass.
Their
and goats.
for raising
livestock
livestock
Dry seasons
because
is
are
the grass
attraction.
has been opened
is rare at that time and most cattle graze along the lake-
internationally.
shore, thereby
and
land tenure
interfering
system
communal.
This accelerates
graze together
in search
with grazing
which
Another
creates
The
being
soil erosion because the cattle
and are driven together
of pasture.
rustling,
with the lake's ecosystem.
is group ranch,
from place to place
friction between
communities
in
responsibility
in
areas,
from
hill slopes, where the annual rainfall
is > 1000 mm. Although
recharge
these
they
hill slopes
belong
are the major
to administrative
districts
that, while located within the basin, are not riparian to the
lake (the lake is surrounded
creates
restrictions
administration
in river basin
be further
enhanced
the basin's
natural
located
deforestation
harvesting
decreased
recharge
management,
resources.
more
of forest
areas,
have undergone
past, through
land conver-
land for agriculture,
and through
products
for timber, wood fuel and
areas
of the
catchment
by ~50% since 1976. Consequently,
has decreased,
with streams
the dry seasons,
whereas
floods during the rainy seasons.
accruing
have
groundwater
drying
up more
they cause flash
As a result of the floods,
and displacement
prevalent in the lower reaches
The benefits
of
The hill slopes, which are
recharge
forested
loss of property
some
exists between the districts, it must
in the recent
The
often during
as the
to facilitate effective management
in the water
sion to create
charcoal.
by the Baringo District). This
in every district is unique. Although
low level of interaction
to other
interchange
through interactions
In addition
activities,
regions,
both nationally
This has promoted
business
of knowledge
and
and
enterprises
technologies
between the locals and foreigners.
By
attracting foreigners, the lake and its basin have attracted
markets for local agricultural and livestock products.
Biophysical environment
Water
flowing into Lake Baringo originate
humid and subhumid
Through
there.
area of conflict is cattle
the basin, hence limiting the collective
managing the lake and its basin.
The streams
the
also reside
of people have been
quality conditions
The water quality of Lake Baringo
time. The main concern
has deteriorated
because of high rates of sedimentation
erosion in the catchment.
recent
over
is turbidity, which has increased
from increased
soil
The turbidity values recorded
analysis range between
are rather high values. Related to the increased
reduced water transparency,
in
350 and 900 NTU, which
turbidity is
which is <0.1 m, as measured
by Secchi disc. The physiochemical
analyses
of the lake
have been carried out in the past, with the most recent and
reliable analysis done between
June 2001 and May 2002
(Ballot et al. 2003). The parameters
analysed
in this latter
study are shown in Table l.
As shown in Table 1, the physical
Baringo
are characterized
transparency.
conditions
by high temperature
The pH of the lake is relatively high because
of the alkaline hot spring discharge
from Kokwa Island,
which is located in the lake. The conductivity
indicate
the
subsalinity
of the
whereas the high total nitrogen
(fP)
of Lake
and low
concentrations
reflect
lake
and salinity
(Hammer
1986),
(fN) and total phosphorus
the
lake's
hypereutrophic
condition.
of the basin.
from the lake include
water
for domestic and livestock use, fisheries, tourism and
biodiversity. Irrigated agriculture is another major benefit
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Biomass production
The turbid
a greenish
water
colour
of Lake Baringo
related
to the
is characterized
presence
by
of the
xxxx
5
cyanobacterium,
the lake's
turbid
loading. The growth rates of bloom-forming
Microcystis aeruginosa, which dominates
phytoplankton
nature
community.
As a result
of the lake water, primary
is very
low. Thus,
of the
production
in
the open
water
the phytoplankton
population
is limited only to the positively buoyant species,
cyanobacteria
such as Microcystis are optimal at 25°C, which falls within
the temperature
23.7-26.3°C).
range
measured
in Lake Baringo
The TP and TN concentrations
2.8 mg L-1, respectively,
indicate
(i.e.
of 1.0 and
high nutrient
loading to
of cyanobacteria
at levels
including M. aeruginosa, Melosira granulata and Anabaena
the
carcinalis. The lake's high turbidity limits light penetration
between 0.2 and 5.5 mg L", however, is not commensurate
into the water column, resulting in low biomass production.
with the lake's TP and TN concentrations.
The recent
phytoplankton
Reservoir
analyses
revealed
the concentration
of
biomass to range between 1.5 and 8.2 mg L-1
(Ballot et al. 2003). The main phytoplankton
groups
in
Lake Baringo are shown in Table 2.
Microcystis
compared
aeruginosa
lake.
The
production
in South
concentrations,
Africa,
for example,
in Lake
to the other phytoplankton,
Baringo,
mainly because
it
Hartebeesport
similar
TP
has Microcystis
and TN
production
levels between 20 and 50 mg L-1 (Zohary & Robarts 1990).
This latter production
dominates
with
level is about 10 times that of Lake
Baringo, thereby illustrating
the degree that high turbidity
can limit lake production.
can develop gas vacuoles in its cells, allowing it to regulate
its buoyancy.
This
ability
to control
vertical
location
Land use changes
enables it to locate itself in a position in the water column
Although
where
has gradually increased over time, agricultural
it can receive
relatively
water of Lake Baringo.
dominance
more light in the turbid
Other factors contributing
of Microcystis
are temperature
to the
and nutrient
industrial
has increased
where
and urban development
rapidly, particularly
the climate
is conducive
natural forest in this region
Physiochemical conditions of Lake Baringo, June 2001-
as a result of deforestation
forest as a moisture
May 2002
more water
for such
Parameters
The benefits
Forests
grasslands,
capture
June
November
January
May
increase
2001
2001
2002
2002
prevent flooding, reduce the sediment
26.3
26.1
23.7
24.9
Secchi depth (m)
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
<0.1
pH
9.0
8.8
9.1
9.1
Conductivity (mS crn')
1.66
1.39
1.51
1.67
Salinity (%0)
0.7
0.5
0.6
0.7
Total nitrogen (mg L-')
8.0
1.8
1.0
0.5
Total phosphorus (mg L-')
1.3
1.0
0.6
1.0
Source: Ballot et al. (2003).
Mean biomass production of the main phytoplankton
natural
air moisture
load in river water,
drainage
and attract
tourism.
basin has lost >50% of its
cover, decreasing
from 829 km2 in 1976
of the
benefits derived from the forests also has been lost.
The undergrowth
in natural forest cover, and the humus-
rich soil, encourages
groundwater
retention
This feature ensures
a regulated
stream flow throughout
the year, compared
to deforested
durations
magnitude
seasons,
of high
and reduced-low
phenomenon
observed
leads
to faster
drying
drainage
rainy
of rivers,
as
It is worth
Eucalyptus,
June
November
January
March
May
noting that the tree species also are important.
2001
2001
2002
2002
2002
for example,
Cynopyceae
5.45
1.64
0.67
022
2.53
Bacillariophyceae
0.26
0.19
0.04
0.46
0.03
Chlorophyceae
1.84
0.52
0.34
0.8
0.17
Euglenophyceae
0.62
0.08
0.56
0.03
0.0
Cryptophyceae
0.0
0.04
0.07
0.03
0.05
Total biomass
8.17
2.47
1.68
1.54
2.77
thereby
the
basin.
Phytoplankton
growth,
with short
during
flows during the dry seasons.
in Lake Baringc's
consumes
and recharge.
catchments
flows
groups (mg L-')
Source: Ballot et al. (2003).
and
river flow and
to 417 km2 in the 2001. Thus, the same proportion
This
groups in Lake Baringo, June 2001-May 2002
forest
of the
100 times
In addition to these benefits,
forests are a centre for biodiversity
The Lake Baringo
for
being lost
store
of rainfall, regulate
and regulate rainfall patterns.
Water temperature (OC)
Table 2.
than
activities. The
include the functioning
reservoir.
the incidence
development
in the upper reaches,
also has been exploited
timber, wood fuel and settlement.
Table 1.
in the basin
more water and has little under-
leading
to faster
depletion
of sub-
surface water reserves.
When cut, such trees can cause
water flows to increase.
Other species,
leucocephala, use
water
growth,
less
soil water retention,
in a manner
and
such as Luceana
encourage
and groundwater
similar to natural
forests.
trees and forests can cause increase
water flows.
When
underrecharge
cut, such
the incidence
of low
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
E. O. Odada et al.
6
The effects of climate change in the region are evident
from the decreasing
Kilimanjaro.
snow coverage on Mounts Kenya and
This is attributed
increases
the
facilitates
the accumulation
as carbon
dioxide,
cause
global
of the
air.
Increased
evaporation
gases,
These
and, hence,
higher
change
understood
can lead
necessitating
species
effects
of
are not yet been well
surface
area
habitats
of aquatic
of the lake, in addition
that produce
erodable
both the depth
and the
to destroying
the
animals. The parts of the catchment
the most sediment
are the steep slopes with
soils. Such areas include the footslopes
of Tugen
Hills around Cheberen
and Tenges. The rates of soil
erosion in these areas are as large as 205.79 MT ha-l year:'.
In other areas,
year:'.
soil erosion
The eroded
reaches.
of the
estimated
drainage
sediment
as extrapolated
catchment,
Other
basin
yield
from
and
on the flat lower
in the lake. The
of the Lake Baringo
erosion
studies
is 10.38 million MT year"
estimates
sediment
is low, being ~2.21 MT ha'
soils are deposited
made
yields
Engineering
of
three
13.5
Consultants
The reduced
basin,
(Onyando
MT
ago
year:'
(Pencol
threat
water for irrigation,
demands
to accumulate
which covers
an area
2
public
awareness
and
cultural beliefs and stratification
3. Insufficient
governance
that involve inadequate
and insufficient
Dam (area of
Water diversions
also have been made from the Perkerra,
and 01 Arabel Rivers, and also have contributed
problems.
4. High
poverty
levels,
caused by droughts
throughout
especially
downstream.
for
systems
a lack of expertise
which
to address
compound
disasters
cultivation
with cultivation of river banks
of steep
slopes
without
conservation
measures.
Other problems
Other environmental
and sustainability problems
associated
with the lake include invasive species, especially Prosopis
shrub
with
hairy
evergreen
in 1982, it has spread to cover much of
shrub
forms
thicket that gradually
an extensive
chokes
and impenetrable
out other plants,
including
the acacia tree and grass, leaving much of the soil bare and
prone to erosion.
It has deep roots, and is likely to be
linked to the lowering
of the water table in the areas it
concern
among the pastoralists,
out all the grass on
which their cattle depend.
Molo
to reduced
water levels have significant impacts,
of the communities
Management
living
This problem is likely to continue as long as
environment
Institutional
The goal of management
its sustainability
roles
of the lake and its basin
and that of its biotic communities,
same time benefiting
the populace through
the population in the upper catchment continues to increase.
resources.
For effective
The reduced water inflows to the lake resulted in a low
lake depth of ~1.7 m early in 2003. Only a limited number
resources,
a management
yet been developed.
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
of
and floods, low crop yields and low
5. Poor land management
and
their history to water animals at various points.
on the livelihoods
understanding
livestock returns.
stream flows. Both the lake and its rivers have been used
Thus, the decreased
lake
of institutions
especially the I1chamus, as it chokes
irrigation
and using
low literacy levels,
consultation,
mobilization
colonizes. It has aroused
Chemeron
1km'), which is used for irrigation.
and
within communities.
Kabarnet.
dams include
direct
and accountability
of 2 km on the Endao River, supplies water to the town of
Other
both
for developing
human impacts on the lake including
lake. The
and for rural and urban water supply.
Dam, for example,
had
the grazing land in Baringo District, especially around the
of rivers also pose a
to the lake. The dams are meant
The Kirndich
in the lake.
factors
also have
juliflora, a fast-spreading
1981).
and damming
fish
upstream
such as fish, water and tourist facilities.
2003).
indicated
abstractions and impacts on
biodiversity
recharge
close to extinction
factors
leaves. Introduced
Water
in 2001. Other
of the Perkcrra
decades
million
their
to 15 em,
indirect impacts on the lake. These include:
2. Limited
to be the main environmental
to the lake. It reduces
also threatening
moratorium
Socioeconomic
Socioeconomic
1. Increased
of a lack of reliable data.
is considered
The
to
Sedimentation
threat
a fishing
to spawn) are presently
resources
Sedimentation
with overfishing
(e.g. Barbus and Labeo, which migrate
from the lake, causing a decreased
on Lake Baringo
because
can
atmospheric
air temperatures
by this situation,
survival. The mean size of O. niloticus decreased
such
gases
water level in the lake. Overall, the potential
climate
which
Deforestation
of greenhouse
in the atmosphere.
warming
temperatures.
increased
to global warming,
temperature
of aquatic animals can survive under such conditions,
fish community, for example, has been very much impacted
management
wise use of its
of Lake Baringo's
plan is necessary,
The management
is
at the
but has not
efforts in the past
xxxx
7
have been
sectoral.
roles in managing
Kenya Marine
public
institutions
and their
and Fisheries Research Institute.
research
carrying
The involved
the lake and its basin are outlined below.
institution
out research
with
the
responsibility
on fish production
the lake water as related
statistics
on fish trends
operation
enshrined
This isa
to fish production.
It provides
and lake productivity,
in the Fisheries
of
and the quality of
with its
services
on
awareness
modern
on the
educating farmers,
Kenya Wildlife
farming
use
creating
of resources,
and
among other tasks.
Services.
This
is a public
institution
responsible for wildlife management. It controls, as necessary,
the population
conflict.
of predators
to minimize
Baringo County Council. This
Act.
techniques,
sustainable
council
is
composed
of
Kenya Forestry Research institute. This also is a public research
elected leaders
institution
mandated
to carry out research
where the lake is located, and collects taxes from revenue
systems,
preservation
of indigenous
development
of environmentally
trees are planted
purposes,
depending
as sources
tree
species,
and
friendly tree species. The
in the catchment
and used for various
on the species.
include conservation
on agroforestry
Some of their uses
of soil and water, as wind breaks, and
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. This ministry was created
as part
streamline
of government
the fisheries
reforms
and livestock
departments.
The
illegal
fishing
and
and transporters.
extension
the
The
services
affiliated
of illegal
and
research
gear
of licenses
Livestock
sizes.
The
institutions,
both national
and inter-
research
under the MoA. It is responsible
research,
resistant
crops,
research
findings.
including developing
fast maturing
crops,
drought-
and disseminating
World
water
for
development
within the lake basin. It operates
Water Act and provides
resources
This ministry
responsible
guidelines
development,
Vision
is an NGO
management
which have lost crops and other resources.
is
under the
on water abstraction
among other topics.
resume
their
livelihood
as rapidly
production
and
sale.
Honey
including
promotes
environmental
environmentally
interventions.
Environmental
Its
Act.
income source to the local people.
These
comprise
women, with the common
They operate
CBOs
three-star
of
pressures
contributing
to
operating
the
management.
hotel,Lake
Baringo
lake and its rich biodiversity
the hotel generates
sources
relieve consumption
thereby
of
livelihoods.
as alternative
Block Hotels. This is a private organization
Club, near the lake. The
attract tourists,
from which
income. In turn, the Block Hotels, as a
beneficiary,
activities
resources
degradation.
participates
friendly
are
in such a
It also
in
lake
management,
to the sustainability
of the lake.
management
enshrined
in
the
Legislation
The lake management
of government
Desertification,
for improving
Management.
food production,
the resources
Its activities
while at the same time
to ensure a sustainable
involve carrying
supply of
out extension
sustainable
programme
legislation
other programmes,
Reduction
food needs.
composed
goal of improving
micro enterprises
income. Such enterprises
Ministry of Agriculture. This is a public institution responsible
conserving
important
an alternative
its rivers and the lake. It advises the
on the use of natural
way as to minimize
an
in the Baringo District, providing
thereby also contributing
Government
as
for promoting
is
This activity also helps sustain its business.
catchment,
also
to floods. The
activities,
is responsible
in the
Assistance
possible.
direct
conservation
and
objective is to enable them to recover from their losses,
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.This ministry
for environmental
droughts
is given to those who have lost property
on the lake and its resources,
and
the
that provides
famine relief to families affected by extended
improved resource
Ministry of Water Resources Development.
and borehole
for.
within
basin.
Women's Groups.
This is a public
of indigenous
lands
resource
Research
agriculture-based
eroded
also
Kenya Agricultural
institution
in badly
honey
national, which are involved in livestock research.
institute.
and grasses
Honey Care. This is a CBO responsible
has
the
Trust. This is an NGO,
planting and regeneration
livestock
ministry
back,
oversee
of the lake.
Rehabilitation of Arid Environment
which undertakes
who
It also is
rangelands,
marketing.
of its personnel,
general management
and
provides
management.
of degraded
It
to fishermen
Department
on livestock
involved in re-seeding
improvement
use
provision
It owns the trust land
from the lake. The taxes are ploughed
facilitation
World Vision.
to further
Fisheries
Department
in this ministry operates under
the Fisheries Act. The department's
role is to prevent
also recommends
through
trees
of fodder, wood fuel and timber.
recently
generated
from the district.
human-wildlife
operates
and policies.
such as the National
on the basis
It is linked
to
Action Plan on
National Biodiversity Action Plan, Poverty
Strategy
AIl these
Paper,
and
National
have the common
use of natural
resources
needs. The legislative framework
Wetland
objective
of
to meet livelihood
to enforce management
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing
Asia Pty Ltd
E. O. Odada et ai.
8
initiatives
operates
Government,
under
including
Agriculture
various
the
Act, Forest
acts
Fisheries
of the
Kenya
Act, Water
Act,
Act, Land Control Act, and Land
based on available resources
and capacity.
on research
findings,
resulting
in improved
The enforcement
past,
laws are contained
have
Environmental
been
in the acts which,
implemented
Management
sectorally.
and Coordination
practice readily acceptable
The
Management
Act was
strategies
Mitigation measures
management
the basin include control of soil erosion through
laws
scattered
throughout
existing acts. The implementation
by the National
Environment
the local level, district
village environmental
environmental
committees
These
management
management
and
initiatives are
degradation
gazettment
as a result
is taking place, or
of human
can be done by the concerned
to stop the degradation.
activities,
minister, as a
This has been done in
in the floodplains.
Construction
of check
bands to reduce overland flow rate
also was undertaken.
Afforestation
are other
control
These
techniques,
requiring
done
however,
Other management
are long-term
or more in
the lake's degradation.
measures
include
pasture, conservation
lake, and agroforestry
re-seeding
practices
in the lake's
catchment
to these measures,
and recommendations
harvesting
supplies
Government
to the central
to provide
for timber to be imported.
In other cases in which there is a deliberate
. resources,
law enforcers
and groundwater
are encouraged
illegal use of
to keep vigilance
alternative
of alternative
to reduce
exploitation
and arrest the involved parties. In cases of illegal fishing,
possible
scouts
microen terprises.
carry
poachers.
forceful
out surveillance
The
scouts
poaching.
administrators
provincial
in the lake
are armed
Apart
and arrest
in order
from scouts,
to eradicate
local chiefs,
the
in the localities, have the mandate from the
administration
to enforce
arrests have been recorded
legislation.
Cases of
in the Lake Baringo area, with
illegal gear sizes of <4 inches being burned
in public.
sources
livelihood
moratorium
and the
resource
studies,
inferences
phenomena
establishing
Research
international
Uppsala
research
species
Department.
The
for them
in anticipation
report was presented
birds
is essential
for
fisherfolk
therefore
Department,
impose
of dwindling
by the KMFRI
the
to accept
moratorium,
which
involved
was enforced
Fisheries
control
by the Fishermen
Department.
in Sweden.
rural appraisal
Examples
The
include Egerton
and the
research
to rural communities
findings
through
(PRA). Such research
for recommendations
of
have been
participatory
findings
for sustainable
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
and
University
provide
resource
instituting
a
illegal fishing,
gear
as well as ensuring
the communities
dependent
around
when
During
on these
However, regulated
the
to
the use of
ban
was
lifted.
activity for
the lake, they are not entirely
on it, but also engage
microenterprises.
concentrated
ratios
and the
surveillance
recommended
in Kenya
to
Cooperative
It involved regular
Although fishing is a major income-generating
universities.
agreed
fishing ban until the fish stock improved. The moratorium
bird sanctuaries.
Universities
the
by the KMFRI
they readily
linkages
have been made with both local and
were
of better yields in the future.
and the Fisheries
of natural
of
income losses due to 'dwindling fish stocks.
When a monitoring
of various
to be determined,
efforts
for effective
of statistics
the numbers
after recognition
and scientific
plans. As an example, the provision of data
disseminat.ed
a basis
prerequisites
from analysis
life, allowing
of different
Kenyatta
are
Through
one
the facilitation
involving the local communities
on monitoring
Fisheries
moratorium
and biodiversity can be made and incorporated
in management
on bird
science
management.
is encouraged
on lake resources,
to improve fish stocks in the lake. The
fish stocks, based
experiencing
Research and science
and
pressures
was instituted
It was not difficult
Research
of water. Diversification
way of doing this is through
was implemented
water
are undertaken
opportunities
A fishing moratorium
with
of wetlands around the
using fodder trees. In addition
made
of tree
to minimize
time, up to a decade
some cases, to counteract
high-yielding
and control
measures
forest areas following extensive felling of trees for timber,
have been
in
terracing,
dams and semicircular
interventions
serious
to control degradation
and gully control, among other actions.
trap sediments
degradation.
in environmental
undertaken
Stone walls and desert plants (e.g. cactus) also are used to
cutting
operate by encouraging
to participate
it is anticipated
measure
committees
activities.
In cases where
where
contour farming
Authority. At
have been established
committees
the local communities
various
of this Act is overseen
Management
that environmental
implemented.
the
made the
to fishermen.
enacted in 1999, however, to harmonize all the environmental
to ensure
based
quality and
quantity of the fish catch. The improved catches
Planning Act.
in the
management,
The fish ban, for example, was a recommendation
in agropastoralism
and
the fishing ban therefore
they
other
subsistence
livelihood
opportunities.
fishing, using hooks, was
allowed to continue among the communities
living on the
xxxx
9
island. Some opposition to the moratorium
a few individuals,
who continued
Conflicts
was noted from
to poach. This situation,
The institutions
and constraints
responsible
for managing
however, diminished with time: following community partici-
are not devoid of constraints,
pation
by the
management
during the
Department,
in surveillance
and education
LBCB's land and water management
The progress
moratorium
and
in increasing
was monitored
the
KMFRl.
disseminated
The
and stakeholder
project.
by the Fisheries
outcome
forums.
of the
through
exercise
quarterly
was
reports
Recent spot checks showed that
about 2 years ago, has allowed tilapia
(D. niloticus) to grow to an average size of 29 ern, from the
previous
average
of 15 cm. To prevent
over fishing should be minimized
the correct-sized
licensed
fishing gear, regulating
fishermen,
and ensuring
regular
prevent illegal fishing. In contrast
erosion
control
in grazing
This is because,
resource,
conservation
and
also are being
biodiversity
conservation
activities
illegal poaching,
are
capacity.
fish
and establishment
water
and bird
of
of a Rarnsar site for
Lake Baringo.
management
drainage
basin
receiving
the
most
and agroforestry,
tourism
microenterprises
and
management.
Through
Baringo
of international
soil
development
and
as a wetland
therefore
open to funding
support livelihood
opportunities
to conserve
its resources,
opportunities
and reduce
land degradation.
under
development
ing all the sectoral
Lake Baringo
under the jurisdiction
Council.
The
activities
Council
with the
itself is in trust land,
focuses
on
conservation.
and implementation
to a common
of natural resources.
to meet
Cattle grazing
goal of
Conflict of
in lake management.
income-
Thus, with
of an integrated
their
This is
who exploit the
needs
of
through
be sustained
especially
area that generates
during
controversy.
keep large herds of cattle, which cannot
by the available biomass,
especially
during
dry seasons. Thus, they enter the lakeshore areas, where
their cattle graze and destroy the habitats of other plants
and animal species. Control of the number
a management
strategy
As an alternative,
plan that regulates
movement
implemented.
systems,
of
herds
a participatory
to
range
access to grazing lands
could
with involvement
be introduced,
be
developed
of pastoralists
Through
and
in which
of the rangelands,
pastoralists.
herds
are rotated
and will readily
Lack of support,
of transparent
personnel
grazing
capacity
be accepted
systems,
can
to allow re-
the carrying
ineffective
decision-making
in environmental
trained
and enforce-
CBOs, rotational
vegetation. This is likely to increase
sufficiently
practice
The plan could be derived from traditional
ment by elders.
personnel
of the herds as
is an unacceptable
by the
legislation,
lack
lack of qualified
management
and
are additional
lack of
drawbacks
affecting the institutions.
The lack of a management
plan for the lake and its
drainage basin is another constraint
the current
management
to its management.
initiatives are sectoral
As
in nature,
the negative impacts that could occur from an activity also
are likely to influence
other sectors.
management plan, it is anticipated that the management of
the lake and its basin will be diversified, and include both
have difficulty in formulating
income and non-income-generating
incorporating all stakeholders.
upstream
activities, as well as
livelihood
along the lakeshore,
is another
The pastoralists
of the Baringo
(e.g. tourism, fishing), however, with
little attention given to catchment
the development
at integrat-
plans, and is in accordance
Rarnsar Convention.
generating
The manage-
is aimed
with its management
County
resources
as a Ramsar site in
is now recognized
importance,
currently
fishing,
water
its designation
in regard
every
that might
fishing activities.
and
Activities
include
biodiversity,
plan
the fishermen
sectoral.
attention
of activities
of the lake and its basin to meet their livelihood
management
are mainly
is another
because
so with the local communities,
initiatives in the Lake Baringo
conservation
ment
to others,
management
the pastoralists.
The current
2001, Lake
not conform
sustainable
dry seasons,
reduce
prohibition
boats. This
activities
the lake, mainly
has a programme
resources
and
for an extended
needs. The fishing ban could conflict with the interest
Some of the
species,
surveillance
of stakeholder
in managing
stakeholder
to control herd
of the lake and its resources.
endangered
constraint
interest is another drawback
are individually
degradation
counts;· protecting
the ban. Coordination
particularly
to further
The Fisheries
incapacitated
in cases of illegal fishing during the period of
of
community-based
undertaken
has resulted
to
to the lake, a common
who are reluctant
been
period of time, because of the lack of motorized
surveillance
to the fish moratorium,
when compared
has
the number
to conform with the land's carrying
Wildlife
projects
the use of
lands has had little success.
the cattle that cause overgrazing
owned by pastoralists,
numbers
future moratoria,
by requiring
for example,
sound
is the lack of
such as boats for surveillance.
could not carry out regular
Department
Lake Baringo
hindering
of the lake. One constraint
resources,
fish production
to stakeholders
the ban, instituted
facilitated
thereby
Such sectors
solutions to problems
origin they might not know. The construction
in
for domestic water supply, for example,
reduced
flows
downstream
and
into
might
whose
of dams
resulted
the
lake.
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
E. O. Odada et al.
10
Consequently,
inadequate
the downstream
water
supplies,
population
which
domestic
use and for irrigation.
decreased
partly because
Siltation of Chemeron
reduced
suffered
they
need
Fish
of reduced
from
both
production
for
also
inflows into the lake.
Dam is another
side-effect that has
the capacity of the dam and, hence, the reliability
of the downstream
water
discharge
needs. As there is interconnection
various sectors,
is inevitable,
which requires
clear government
a management
policy, especially
which is unfortunately
Other constraints
plan and a
on lake management,
of
retrenchment
expertise,
of Lake Baringo
lack
institutions,
makers
Livestock
in programmes
Development
entails
activities
to resource
include
in the tree-planting
by the public and decision-
on the effects of human activities on the lake and
involveprocess,
such as the Kenya-Finland
Programme
empowering
Bull Scheme,
women's
groups
which
in
land
rehabilitation. Other activities include on-farm demonstrations
workers,
village environmental
the day-to-day implementation
management
practices,
and
new technologies.
committees
of the on-farm
training
extension
Strengthening
diversification
and
educational
visits
As part of capacity-building
its drainage basin
Lake Bogoria resulted
institutions
on income
to demonstration
initiatives.
activities,
an excursion
in passing resolutions
be used as guidelines
staff
to
that were to
to ensure good management
of the
lake, as follows:
• Lack of data and information
. facing the lake and it drainage basin
• Inaccessibility
research
initiatives. These
of local communities
receptive
sites are additional capacity-building
of resources
understanding
undertaken
through facilitating support of microenterprises
coordination,
and low incentives, which demoralize personnel responsible
• Inadequate
management
ment
efforts
so that they become
regarding
of
of staff, especially in government
for effective management
awareness,
to oversee
to the management
local
the lake
to create
by extension
still lacking.
and its drainage basin include the following:
• Lack
to manage
also
of all stakeholders
and public participation
and its drainage basin include training of farmers
participation
to meet irrigation
between the activities of
however, involvement
Capacity building
Capacity-building
to information
about
the problems
• Formation
on past studies
and
on the lake and its drainage basin
• Lack of understanding
of beach committees
• Joint patrol and surveillance with the Fisheries Department
• Supporting
research
to
recovery of the lake's fishery
determine
the
rate
of
by many lake basin inhabi-
• Participation
in tree planting
tants, especially among those who live on the hill slopes at
a considerable distance from the lake, about their individual
• Involvement
of women groups in fodder farming and
roles in causing lake problems
zero grazing
One of the experiences
• Lack of knowledge
by most of the indigenous
communities of what actions to take to help solve lake
will get direct
problems
to their livelihood
• Lack of feedback of information to government
•• Frequent droughts and floods
• Inadequate
accessibility
officials
• Livestock diseases
• High land preparation
stakeholders
benefits,
costs
Creation
on the importance
in which
sensitization
and
methods.
Such methods
is
they
are linked
of awareness
among
and value of the lake, and
it, has been made possible
training,
mobilization
include
seminars and demonstrations
learn through participation.
• Limited market opportunities
involvement
in activities
or if the activities
needs.
the need to conserve
to safe water
of stakeholder
that they tend to participate
through
using
PRA
field days, workshops,
in which the stakeholders
• Lack of public awareness
• Land tenure system and cultural values
Some constraints can be minimized through environmental
educational
resolved
programmes.
from
The
two possible
conflicts,
approaches.
through the provincial administration,
however,
are
One way
is
whereby the district
security teams from different districts organize roundtable
discussions
to find amicable solutions to the conflicts, or to
Financial investment
Financial
associated
resources
investments
made to help solve the problems
with the sustainable
use of the lake and its
include:
• Ministry of Livestock
between 1998 and 1999
• Local Afforestation
and Fisheries
Scheme
- $US30 000
- $US52 000 for
1.8
enforce law and order among the conflicting groups. The
million seedlings for planting during 1999 and 2000
other
• UNICEF, various NGOs - $US107 000 in 1999-2001
to undertake community-based water projects
approach
conflicting
is through
village
elders
from
the
groups. The elders usually can easily identify
the root causes of the problem and help find solutions
acceptable to the conflicting groups.
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
• Kenya-Finland
Livestock
Development
Bull Scheme for cow rotation - =$US74 000
Programme
xxxx
11
• UNEP/GEF,
through
the
LBCB
project
=$US750 000 during 2001-2003 for capacity building and
will not only minimize the duplication
ensure
wise and efficient
rehabilitation
sharing
of information,
of degraded
Lake Baringo basin areas
constraint
degradation
The increase
the
land
activities
capacity,
in the drainage
the natural
resource
also makes the community more receptive to lake management
and
unsuitable
basin, resulted
land
use
in a decrease
base that supports
livelihoods
in
of the Government
To ensure
considered,
that
their
interests
are adequately
care should be taken to involve members
the community
from all strata in the management
of Kenya (GOK),
to UNEP to fund the LBCB
Improvement
Local people
of livelihood
will tend
to support
security
interventions
perceive to favour their aspirations,
those that
improve their livelihood security. Most farmers
in the lake
basin, for example, were not willing to construct
the local communities
and other water conservation
and institutions to respond positively
the impacts of land degradation,
demonstration
formulated
through the
of best land use practices. The project was
with line ministries,
local communities
in consultation
and other stakeholders.
to the communities
was through
with the
The entry point
PRA and socioeconomic
they
do
not
conservation
see
direct
land ownership
biodiversity
packages with incentives,
The
approach
adopted
their
management.
was to facilitate
capacity
for sustainable
The advantages
involvement
of
in a participatory
institutional
constituency
to
include
manner,
diversification
are mainly pastoralists
capacity
income
for managing
ownership of credit concerns,
through
such activity
natural
facilitation
ted is microenterprise,
organized
friendly
expectations.
and improving
of various stakeholders.
which
One
funds were commit-
was introduced
to assist
community groups to engage in environmentally
income-generating
activities,
in order to relieve
land use pressures
and, at the same time, raise people's
livelihood standards.
Other activities include environmental
education
stakeholder
and conservation
programmes,
facilitation
of
forums, and policies and facilitation of research.
of income
offers
degradation.
which
often
The Pokots
more
This causes problems
alternatives
can lead
and the -Ilchamus,
for example,
of cattle that
capacity of the grazing
of overgrazing,
land
degradation,
periods,
Other
their
thereby
animals
reducing
income-generating
microenterprises)
pressure
Lake management
stakeholders
sustainable
and
programmes
all other
should involve all relevant
parties
interested
use of a lake and its resources.
in the
This practice
soil
die
their
livestock
activities
are necessary
during
(e.g.
drought
products.
bee
because
keeping,
they reduce
on land and minimize risks.
Biodiversity
- a source of income
and food
From the perspective
of the local people, biodiversity
arid
areas
and
semiarid
pastoralists
involvement
land.
with increased
involves
a
pastoral
strategy. From their perspective,
hunt
wildlife
to supplement
in
risk
biodiversity
is a source of food and income. During severe
Stakeholder
on
to environmental
erosion and the siltation of rivers and lakes. In addition to
management
Lessons learned
for
overdependence
and keep large herds
do not match the carrying
project was to build
resources,
to which UNEP/GEF
awareness
level.
livelihood needs. It reduces
little budgetary
The entry point of the UNEP/GEF
by the
conservation,
environmental
Diversification
Income
meeting
partnerships/synergies,
and high stakeholder
resource
in order to build a conservation
at a grassroots
one resource,
lack of transparency
natural
and high poverty levels. Thus,
develop
resource mobilization and ownership.
The disadvantages of this approach include weak partners,
harmonization,
in
This is exacerbated
environmental
of this approach
of stakeholders
strengthening
institutions
gains
and management.
it is important
to build
until they saw the
lack of critical mass with interest in resource
communal
and aquatic resources.
structures
terraces
successful harvest obtained by those who did so. Similarly,
surveys, with the main problems focusing on land degradation,
conservation,
they
especially
project, with the main objective of building the capacity of
in addressing
of
efforts.
and
for a long time. In 2000, the
a proposal
efforts.
status of Lake Baringo has
NGOs and local communities
GOK forwarded
and
plan, thereby minimizing conflicts of interest. This approach
biodiversity. The environmental
been the concern
appraised. The interests of the community, preferences
as a major
in both human and animal population beyond
carrying
the
and
of the Lake Baringo basin.
was identified
to the development
use. Through
will be generated
knowledge
values also will be taken into account in the management
UNEP/GEF LBCB project
Environmental
of activities, but also
resource
droughts,
their
protein
supplies.
Similarly, they burn acacia and other trees to
produce
charcoal
losses. Biodiversity
for sale to compensate
conservation
people if it can generate
for livestock
is acceptable
socioeconomic
to the local
benefits
higher
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
E. O. Odada et al.
12
than the subsistence
lack
utilization,
of awareness.
rangeland
a mentality
It is worth
noting
can attract more biodiversity
As an example,
four animal
that
improved
have returned
to
for a period of 12 months.
Similarly, birds have built nests on trees in demonstration
plots set up by a local NGO, whereas
trees in nearby
degraded
have sufficient
information
areas of Kenya. The forest area of Kenya is currently
much
with more gains -.
species
a piece of land rehabilitated
caused by a
less than
the 9% forest
Africa and 20% forest
areas. Thus, it is important
on biodiversity
to
in the lake
to achieve this goal, the education
of the masses
harmony with the natural resources
is essential.
of Lake Baringo should not concentrate
itself, but should
administrative
boundaries
basin boundaries,
physical end products,
such as the total area and species
drainage
basin,
but
on the means
Baringo,
Koibatek,
end
This
critical
when
the
multiple
stakeholders
are involved. As a means of enhancing
conservation
of natural
resources
the
in the Lake Baringo
and
stakeholders
formation
to create
ownership.
While
approach
various
to take
development
it also is important
some of the -underlying
among
and increased
it is prudent
involving
stakeholders,
of partnerships
synergy
of
partners
which
is located
Nakuru
and
in four
districts
Laikipia.
The
of
LBCB
only for the Baringo
District. This made it difficult to involve other districts
in
resource
in
management
of these
affected
even though
latter districts
management
programmes
efforts,
in the catchment
of the lake. Thus,
should
activities
be designed
directly
management
to include
the entire
drainage basin.
an integrated
to critically
assumptions.
key
sense
do not coincide with the river
project, however, was only designed
parts
drainage basin, the LBCB project applied the participatory
approach
only
to the
as is the case for the Lake Baringo
conserved,
of achieving
also extend
whole basin that drains into the lake. In most cases, the
projects should focus not only on producing
is especially
plans
to live in
Inclusion of the entire drainage basin in the
lake management
plan
Management
of its conservation.
Conservation to focus on the means of
achieving the end result
result.
of the world. The GOK
targets a forest coverage of 10%. As the Government
on the waterbody
also
coverage
<2%,
characterizing
there are no nests on
basin, including the social dimension
Conservation
coverage
and
examine
Most development
Financial investment
Financial constraints
in lake basin projects
made the UNEP/GEF-funded
LBCB .
agencies share the same vision of livelihood improvement,
project focus mainly on the Baringo District. The project
but have their own preconceived
was a medium-sized
approach
and implementation
on different
of these
partners
. can create
are not regulated
UNEP/GEF
project
played
of stakeholder
management
building
capacity
principles
the short-term
lake
and
the upper
larger than that
available through
for formulating
the MSPs are needed
effective integrated
lake basin management
programmes
.
time frames longer than 3 years, the average
duration of an MSp, are needed to bring about changes
the management
in
of an entire lake drainage basin.
aware
Alternative water resources,
on
are the major aspects
and addressing
management.
The
beneficiaries,
of the risks
Water conservation for domestic
livestock use
and
education
of
the
local
and who
to meet their livelihood
demands,
involved
in such
In the majority of cases, they only consider
benefits,
at the expense
ones. In addition to the excessive
forest reserves
stakeholders
(MSP), for which
in this effort is that financial investments
Furthermore,
role in the
the
awareness
that are the direct
be made
exploitation.
and
capacity building
resource use
scenarios
exploit the resources
should
a pivotal
among
for implementing
of sustainable
communities
it
project
funding limit at the time was $US750 000. One lesson learned
approach.
Awareness creation,
sustainable
various
and harmonized,
at the expense of conservation.
of activities
a participatory
Creation
If the operations
for the local communities,
for recognition
synchronization
through
and time scales.
confusion
scrambling
The
budgets
ideas about community
strategy. They also operate
of the long-term
exploitation
through
roof
catchment,
such as rainwater
should
and
harvesting
be explored
plement river water for domestic use. This will reduce water
abstractions
through
damming,
more water to flow downstream
thereby
should
be practised
stream
area, but also in the humid
welL This is because
more water, whereas
also
not only in the semiarid
the people
upstream
located
downarea as
upstream
use
those located downstream,
as well as
the lake, are most affected by water shortages.
Thus, the
upstream
population
also have been exploited not only in the hill
domestic
use, so that most of the river water
© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
allowing
and into the lake. This
of fish, the
slopes of the Lake Baringo drainage basin, but in all forest
to sup-
downstream
should
and into the lake.
rely more on rainwater
for
can flow
xxxx
13
Documentation
The information
E. Odada
and extension
and data gained from lake management
programmes
and experiences
can be disseminated
to
national and local governments, lake management practitioners,
NGOs and other stakeholders
through
workshops
AIl should
libraries
and the Internet.
reports,
seminars,
be available in
as well, where they can be easily accessed.
days through
information,
Field
PRA also are an avenue for disseminating
particularly
the
Lintner, Victor Muhandiki
Basin
Management
L. (2003) Cyanobacterial
Workshop
of this
ment
for comments
paper
Facility
International
project
Initiative'.
authors,
Lake
titled,
Richard Davis, Stephen
Regional
by the Global
Environ-
of the World Bank-implemented,
Environment
Towards
a Lake
The views expressed
and do not necessarily
organizations
at the Lake
(LBMD African
on an earlier draft. Preparation
was supported
as part
Gichuki F. N. (2000) Monitoring
or of the sponsors
to the
Dordrecht,
the Netherlands.
are those
of the
those of their
Baringo Drainage Basin. Consultancy
Annual
report
submitted
Onyando].
of River
Pencol
O. (2003) Soil Erosion
Perkerra
to the United
Engineering
Assessment
Consultancy
Nations
Consultants.
Community-Based
Project report.
Hazard
Catchment.
Office
(1981) Lake Baringo
Land and Water Management
Progress
report
for Project
and consultancy
Project.
reports
and
personal communication.
Aloo P. A. (2002) Effects of climate and human activities on
and Biodiversity,
Institute.
to the United Nations Office for Project Services.
UNOPS Marigat.
of Lake Baringo. In: East African
Research
Onyando ]. O. (2002) Land Cover Resource Maps of Lake
Services.
Management
of the LBMI project.
Lakes: Limnology, Paleolimnology
submitted
reports and personal communication.
Basin
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of Birds in Lake Baringo
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Kenya Marine and Fisheries
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Limnologica 33, 2-9.
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pp. xxxx.
Hammer U.T. (1986) Saline Ecosystems of the World. Junk
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Publishers, London.
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© 2006 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
ill