Development of water resources to support local livelihoods and to conserve the vegetation in arid and semi arid areas of Kenya
Case Study C0007
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | Pastoralist Integrated Support programme (PISP) |
| Donor/support agency | DFID |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Kenya |
| Locality | Marsabit district |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/Landscape |
| Development focus | 11000 people of Maikona and North-Horr division |
| Conservation goals | Conservation of rainwater which affects local livelihoods and wildlife |
| Poverty reduction goals | Reduce the vulnerability to droughts of pastoral nomads of Maikona and North-Horr division who do not have access to a permanent source of water |
Summary
The arid and semi arid areas constitute 80% of total land area of Kenya and are drought prone. Water is the main factor that affects the livelihoods of communities and survival of wildlife in these areas. Pastoralist Integrated Support programme (PISP), an NGO started working in Maikona and North-Horr divisions of Kenya in Marsabit district in the year 1996 to reduce the drought vulnerabilities of the pastoral nomads by enhancing their capacities to respond to drought. It targeted about 11000 people of these divisions who lacked permanent water points such as hand dug wells or boreholes. Average distance between permanent water points in this area is 70- 150 km. As there was no potential for ground water development in this area, PISP focussed on rain water harvesting through community based technologies. Underground water tanks and sand dams were constructed to conserve, recharge and store the rain water. Simultaneously, traditional resource management systems were revived to conserve wildlife and dry land biodiversity. This initiative has strengthened the drought coping mechanisms of pastoral nomads and has led to conservation of riverine vegetation and wild life of the area by invoking community interest and participation.
Conservation impact
Conservation of riverine vegetation and wildlife in the area
Poverty reduction impact
This initiative has strengthened the drought coping mechanisms of pastoral nomads
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Revival of traditional practices
More information
Not available
Related records above this one:
- Pastoralist Integrated Support programme (PISP) (Organisation O0060)
- Department for International Development (DFID), UK (Organisation O0018)