Abstract:
The primary goal of my study was to evaluate strategies for promoting local
support for wildlife conservation in Masai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) and the
adjacent group ranches. This was done by determining the effects of the changing land
tenure from communal to individual on the Maasai lives and wildlife, and the role of the
revenue sharing program in enhancing support for wildlife conservation. The study used
local people's suggestions to recommend strategies for improving revenue sharing. A
combination of literature review, questionnaire-based surveys and participant
observation methods were used to achieve these goals.
The maintenance of a viable ecosystem in Mara has succeeded due to the
traditionally benign relationship between the Maasai and wildlife. However, various
factors continue to strain this relationship. First, increasing human population and
encroachment of agriculture has diminished areas available for livestock and wildlife
grazing. Second, the absence of compensation for loss of life and property to wildlife
and inadequacy of the revenue sharing has increased people's antagonism towards
wildlife. Third, since the local people are excluded from the management of MMNR
and wildlife in general, they consider these activities external impositions. Fourth,
subdivision of group ranches will severely reduce the land available for livestock and
wildlife grazing and eliminate the traditional resource sharing strategy that has
sustained the Maasai for centuries.
This study also revealed that although the Maasai harbor many negative feelings
towards MMNR, they consider it an important asset. Further, they are unwilling to give up pastoralism and expect to continue with communal grazing after subdivision which,
is good for wildlife conservation. In view of this, I made the following
recommendations: implement a regional land management system with a core wildlife
area (the reserve) and a wildlife management-pastoral area surrounding the core, and
designated zones for agriculture; support the above system with firm government
policies and incentives; redesign the revenue sharing program to cover all the affected
people; promote policies that encourage diversified wildlife-based enterprises including
consumptive use; transfer much of the wildlife management responsibilities to the local
people
