COOPERATION AND CONFLICTS IN ACCESS. RESOURCES IN THE ARID AND SEMI ARID LANDS by Moses Mwangi

Transcription

1 COOPERATION AND CONFLICTS IN ACCESS AND USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE ARID AND SEMI ARID LANDS by Moses Mwangi

2 Characeristics occupy more than 80 percent of the country s land area; home to over 10 million people; predominantly occupied by pastoralists and agropastoralists; lowest development indicators; highest poverty incidence in Kenya (> 60% of inhabitants live in abject poverty subsisting (less than one dollar a day; Cycle of environmental degradation, insecurity, climatic shocks, diseases and general despondency; immense base of natural resources endowment (>70% of livestock and 90% wild game; commercial mineral wealth;

3 Kenya s ASAL districts

4 Why ASAL Areas are Poor Uncoordinated development efforts in the ASALs Inadequate allocation of resources to ASAL development Potential for wastage of resources Feeling that people from these areas are not valued as useful contributors to the development of the country Short term interventions whose full synergies and multiplier effects have been limited High and increasing poverty levels Low investment in infrastructure Poorly mitigated climatic shocks Food insecurity Increasing frequency of conflicts over scarce resources High dependence on relief resources Knee jerk response to climatic shocks Slow formation of human and social capital Inadequate monitoring and evaluation thus making it difficult to ascertain progress.

5 Why Corporate on Resource Uses? History has often shown the vital nature of natural resources as a powerful incentive for cooperation and dialogue, compelling stakeholders to reconcile even the most divergent views. For example, water more often unites than divides people and societies

6 Why the Concern on Conflicts? Continuous conflicts in arid lands have been a major obstacle to social and economic development. Conflict over natural resources and other socio- cultural conflicts adversely affect resource utilisation and implementation of microprojects. Conflicts make inhabitants unable to maintain their livelihoods, making the lives of their children precarious and uncertain. NRM is important to environmental and social sustainability rangelands used by pastoralists,

7 The Eight Causes of Conflicts 1. Conflicting resources. 2. Conflicting styles. 3. Conflicting perceptions. 4. Conflicting goals. 5. Conflicting pressures. 6. Conflicting roles. 7. Different personal values. 8. Unpredictable policies.

8 Categories of conflict 1. over point resources, such as mines, large farms and reserves; 2. over ecozonal concerns, reflecting on the patchy resources of the semi-arid zone and its historic exploitation systems.

9 Conflict over reserved land 1. Changing perceptions of conservation now suggest that categories of environment and species other than large mammals deserve protection. 2. The globalisation of markets in products such as ivory and rhino horn make poaching an increasingly attractive economic option. 3. Increased arable farming, grazing and charcoal production have caused the value of reserved land to rise. 4. Communities have become more selfconscious and aware of their rights, especially through the involvement of external NGOs.

10 Point Ecozonal Pastoralists/livestock producers and cultivators Fishing peoples with both pastoralists and cultivators Urban resource users extracting rural resources such as water and woodfuel Large-scale agriculture with traditional land users Forest/wildlife reserves with traditional land users Rural populations and industrial enterprises, especially mining + Rural populations and large infrastructural projects such as dams

11 Sustainable Pastoralism Mobility is a common feature: varies in range, seasonality, and links between movements of people and livestock. Livestock species: associated with pastoral systems are determined by the environment, local culture and traditions, and required functions (meat, milk, transport). Economic orientation of land: use for subsistence or market activity will significantly influences management practices. Social-territorial organization: pastoralists relations with markets, settled agriculture, and nonpastoral communities, all of which are shaped by customary ethics, environmental factors, and accumulated management experience.

12 Conflicts in ASAL Areas Conflicts over land access Human v wildlife Wildlife v agriculturalists Wildlife v livestock Livestock v agriculturalist Small scale farmers v large scale farmers Access to minerals benefits Local v external social cultural issues Pressure of urbanisation

13 Wildlife v livestock Conflict

14 Wildlife v Wildlife Conflicts This brave lioness risked her own life by taking on a lurking crocodile so that the rest of her pride could cross a river in safety. The plucky big cat's terrifying tussle with the scaly reptile in the Okavango Delta of Botswana was caught on camera by wildlife photographer Pia Dierickx. Amazingly, the lioness emerged from the scuffle with nothing more than a cut lip (Picture: Rex)

15 Development principles Proactive local participation Beneficial, equitable and just partnerships Respect for tradition and culture in development initiatives Inclusiveness especially for gender Integration with the national economy People-centred development Environmental sustainability

16 Recommendations 1. Water: The effective management of water resources demands a holistic approach linking social and economic development with protection of natural ecosystems. Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach at all levels. Women play a central role in managing and protecting water. Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as an economic good.

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18 Recommendation 2. Wildlife policy Have a wildlife policy aimed to empower local communities to establish Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), managed to obtain benefits from wildlife conservation outside protected areas in addition to livestock. These will be areas declared by the Minister to be so and set aside by village governments for the purpose of biological natural resource conservation. Communities may lease trophy hunting or game viewing concessions to tourist outfitters or may engage in hunting. As part of the process of establishing a WMA, village assemblies must pass a resolution and develop a village land-use plan based on a sound resource survey and approved by the District Council, the regional authorities, and the line ministry.

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20 ASHE OLENG!