It does not take much head power to realize that Kenya is one of the most toured countries in Africa. If you are environmentally conscious,you may have noticed that things are changing. One spiritual Sunday Nation writer recently stated that she doesn't see butterflies any more, and was just wondering why. We are not here with the answers, but we are here with a finger on one of the issues that need urgent addressing in Kenya.
According to The International Ecotourism society (TIES) Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people. The society's statistics on coral reefs shows that of 109 countries with coral reefs, 90 have active destruction of the reef by ships, tourists and waste.
Their report goes on to say that having realized this, 90% of British tourists believe that hotels have a responsibility to care for the environment and the communities around it. Many of the tourists surveyed would go on tour with a company that has a memorandum to guarantee good working conditions and nature protection. Perhaps that explains why green tour companies seem to do better with foreign tourists. Anyway, back to Kenya.
Tourism impact in Kenya
Ecotourism is not widely spread in Kenya. Very few companies even understand the impact they have on the environment and the communities they tour. It is not surprising to see off-road driving in parks (I have a poor camera but damn it! I want a good lion picture!). Very few communities have benefited from the tourism in the country. The environment is definitely not being conserved by the beneficiaries of the tourism monies.It is not surprising that the maasai are now advocating for decentralization of park management. They gave the most land for protected areas management yet they have the least benefits from tourism. They now want to manage the parks in their territories.
On surveys to communities near wildlife, the locals will conclusively tell you that wildlife has no benefits at all and if it was in their power, they would wipe it out. Can somebody please explain why communities living near wildlife see it as a niucance and a source of conflict and yet tourism is the number 1 foreign exchange industry in Kenya? I think what follows is whats missing
Education
The worst thing we can do is give world changing resources to people with no management skills. Now I am not underestimating the maasai here. Infact, they are the most knowledgeable conservation community in Kenya. What I ask is for local communities near wildlife to be educated on how to benefit fully from the resource they have. Let me explain.Most African communities get by on small incomes and it is very easy to say that they benefit form tourism, but compared to what the tourism industry generates, they get a raw deal. Selling a USD 3 bow and arrow to a tourist (occasionally) is NOT benefiting from tourism! These communities should be educated on how to harness the income by setting up worthwhile tourism related services and ventures. Only then will they see the link between conservation and their livelihood. Only from that point will communities be the biggest conservators of the environment.
Policies
Am always happy to see our very vibrant honorable tourism Minister Najib Balala criss crossing the continents marketing Kenya. By the way, he and his team have actually raised the tourism industry from the ashes of post election violence that happened early this year. With people like these, at least Kenya is headed somewhere better.Now I don't want to step on tourism companies toes, but, could they be made responsible by policy to at least manage a single environmental/community income generating project in the local areas that they operate. It is a fact that many companies already give part of their income to communities, however, it is possible to give the proverbial net instead of the fish.
This policy should also ensure the effective management of the environment by the empowered local communities. As much as the burden will be pushed to the community, I believe that it will be a welcome burden as opposed to the present situation.
I know that most of you out there have suggestions and opinions for the way forward, let us discuss this in the forums and let your voice be heard.
To ecotourists in Kenya, you can do it!
- Interestingly, most ecotourists have the following characteristics
- Experienced travelers
- Have good education
- Have a higher income bracket (Hear this ooo tour companies)
- Most are opinion leaders
- They are an important source of trip information
I know it, I have experienced it, and I liked it. People love advice, and they like true advice better. It is always a pleasure at golavish to help people understand their impact and what they can do about it. If you are an ecotourist, or you just care about nature, hooray for the silent work you are doing. Let us push on with the work to conserve our environment. You may be talking only to your friends but realize this, your work and efforts really matter to our environment in the bigger picture.