KWS gets Sh80m Canada grant to fight climate change

The Kenya Wildlife Service has received Sh80 million from Canada to combat adverse effects of climate change in the country’s national parks.

The funds will be used in dealing with degradation of natural resources due to land use changes and rising human-wildlife conflicts, among others.

The one-year grant is a part of the 'First Start Climate Change Programme’ supported through Parks Canada, KWS spokesperson Paul Udoto said.

“This support is coming at a time when climate change is a reality in Kenya as depicted by variation in weather patterns, unpredictable levels of water in lakes and rivers, frequent and prolonged occurrence of droughts and floods, and other environmental disasters.”

These occurrences have adverse impacts on the Kenyan economy and livelihoods of the population which largely depends on natural resources such as water, land, plants and animals.

Protected areas

Mr Udoto said that the money will be used to highlight importance of national parks in climate change adaptation and enhanced ecosystem services around conservation areas in Kenya.

The pilot project will involve adaptation and alleviating negative effects and other activities aimed at enhancing the resilience of protected areas to climate change.

The KWS said the project will be implemented in six key protected areas in Kenya including Amboseli National Park, Tsavo Conservation Area and Mt Kenya.

Others are the Aberdare Forests and Lake Nakuru National Park.

“It is the first of its kind in Kenya. It aims at ensuring the conservation efforts are undertaken to support climate change, while enhancing visitor experience in the national parks and ensuring conservation education is undertaken to communities and schools surrounding the parks.”

The Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystems are Kenya’s tourism flagship and are connected through movement of animals, flow of water and movement of people.

Lake Nakuru National Park comprises a shallow, strongly alkaline lake, with surrounding woodland and grassland.

Ecological diversity

The park supports a wide ecological diversity with flamingos (greater and lesser) and other birds being the major visitor attraction.

Wildlife and tourism sectors, which support a large proportion of the Gross Domestic Product, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Mr Udoto said the support by Parks Canada goes a long way to address some of these challenges.

KWS and Parks Canada had signed an earlier Memorandum of Understanding to share the experience of Parks Canada and  KWS related to management of national parks, and support the capacity of the KWS in the specific areas of greater park ecosystem planning and management.

Others objectives include the monitoring and assessment of ecosystem; stakeholder involvement and conflict management; providing memorable visitor experiences; policy development and implementation; and governance and accountability structures.