Irresponsible tourism and lodge building threatening some of Kenya's finest parks
Unwittingly, safari package tourists may soon be aiding the destruction of a pristine wilderness in northern Kenya by staying in poorly planned lodges currently being built in delicate riverine habitat. Many of the tourists are likely to be British. The small but vulnerable Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves in northern Kenya form a world-class protected area of great beauty. It has mountains, plains and pristine riverine forest inhabited by elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dog and the highly endangered Grevy's zebra.
The two Reserves generate crucial income for the local government. As tourism begins to boom in Kenya, this unique haven for African wildlife is under threat, not from poaching, but from a surge of new lodges and camps that will displace wild animals and wild habitat, and increase tourist vehicular traffic way above capacity.
Responsible Tourism
Advanced thinking in eco-tourism, or responsible tourism, promotes low-impact, high-value development, but Samburu and Buffalo Springs are going in the opposite direction - towards mass tourism with high environmental impacts. If the Reserves acquire the reputation of being over-crowded dusty zoos it could negatively affect tourism and jeopardise the livelihoods of local people. This year, the number of beds in the two Reserves is set to double compared to pre-2005 numbers, which were at that stage already considered in excess of capacity. Similar unplanned tourism development is also threatening the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Advanced thinking in eco-tourism, or responsible tourism, promotes low-impact, high-value development, but Samburu and Buffalo Springs are going in the opposite direction - towards mass tourism with high environmental impacts. If the Reserves acquire the reputation of being over-crowded dusty zoos it could negatively affect tourism and jeopardise the livelihoods of local people. This year, the number of beds in the two Reserves is set to double compared to pre-2005 numbers, which were at that stage already considered in excess of capacity. Similar unplanned tourism development is also threatening the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve.
Saba Douglas-Hamilton seriously concerned
Kenyan wildlife film-maker Saba Douglas-Hamilton says, ’Samburu is one of the most beautiful places I know in Africa, and the traditional culture of its people a national treasure. I have a deep affection for both and I am seriously concerned about the fragile nature of the environment, which is the birthright and livelihood of the people. In 2003 a Samburu National Reserve General Management Plan (2004 - 2009) drawn up by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) was agreed and endorsed by all stakeholders (including the Samburu County Council).
Kenyan wildlife film-maker Saba Douglas-Hamilton says, ’Samburu is one of the most beautiful places I know in Africa, and the traditional culture of its people a national treasure. I have a deep affection for both and I am seriously concerned about the fragile nature of the environment, which is the birthright and livelihood of the people. In 2003 a Samburu National Reserve General Management Plan (2004 - 2009) drawn up by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) was agreed and endorsed by all stakeholders (including the Samburu County Council).
The GMP recommended against any further tourist
development, especially in the fragile forest that lines the river inside the Reserves.
I am personally very worried about the potentially devastating ecological effects of removing large chunks of riverine woodland for tourist development, and cutting off vital access to shade and water by excluding wildlife from it. The influx of extra tourists, hotel staff and vehicles could be highly damaging to an environment that is already considered over-utilised, and there doesn't seem to be any proper planning or effective environmental safeguards. The irony is that sensitive and responsible tourism development is needed very much in community wildlife areas adjacent to the Reserves, rather than concentrating development inside them where it can only be detrimental to the ecosystem and the tourism product.’
I am personally very worried about the potentially devastating ecological effects of removing large chunks of riverine woodland for tourist development, and cutting off vital access to shade and water by excluding wildlife from it. The influx of extra tourists, hotel staff and vehicles could be highly damaging to an environment that is already considered over-utilised, and there doesn't seem to be any proper planning or effective environmental safeguards. The irony is that sensitive and responsible tourism development is needed very much in community wildlife areas adjacent to the Reserves, rather than concentrating development inside them where it can only be detrimental to the ecosystem and the tourism product.’
