SDM Project: Strengthening Community Participation in Biodiversity Conservation through Benefit Sharing and Capacity Building

23.04.2018

SUBMITTED ORGANISATION

Community Based Environmental Conservation (COBEC)

PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

1. Pwani University 

2. Agriculture and Fisheries Department of County Government

DATE OF SUBMISSION

23/04/2018

REGION

Africa

COUNTRY

Kenya

FOCAL POINT

Edward Mwamuye – Project Coordinator

SDM website

More information is available here

Abstract

Poverty, increasing population pressure, and lack of education and awareness, commonly result in destructive habits of the marine environment. Lack of capacity of local community in natural resource management and governance, killing of sea turtles, mangrove destruction and poor implementation of government policies regarding natural resource management are among the causes of a disintegrating coastal and marine ecosystem. Inadequate alternative livelihood spurred by high levels of poverty, unemployment and demand for fuel wood and building poles has led to unsustainable utilization of mangrove resources thus altering forest ecosystem and diminished carbon sequestration capabilities. The project objectives are (i) To strengthen local capacity to adapt to climate variability and change including strengthening environmental governance systems (ii) To enhance mangrove forest protection and management including reforestation and livelihood enhancement (iii) To protect and conserve Sea Turtles and their habitat. The project outputs include: (i) Enhanced capacity with strengthened environmental governance and management structures (ii) Protected and well managed mangrove forest and predictable sources of income for communities. (iii) Enhanced sea turtle protection and recovery through reduced threats. The main components and related activities are: (i) Strengthening local capacity to adapt to climate change and variability and promoting environmental governance through empowerment of local institutions, consultative and community awareness meetings (ii) Mangrove reforestation and management for carbon sequestration and income generating activities, (nursery establishment , vegetable farming, poultry bee keeping and fishing) (iii) Protection and conservation of Sea Turtles through monitoring and patrols, beach cleaning, bycatch release program and sustainable fishing gear promotion.

Planted Mangroves
Students tree planting