Protected and conserved area(s) concerned

Mumoni IBA and Mutitu IBA, Kitui County, Kenya

The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed

Enhanced management and governance of protected or conserved areas

Priority need addressed

Rapid Response Grant will be used to address the threats that escalated in the two forests (Mumoni and Mutitu) during the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, County Government of Kitui and local stakeholders led by Mumoni and Mutitu Site Support Groups (SSGs) to conduct monthly forest patrols and assessment on forest disturbances in each of the two forests. 

Project activities

Output 1. Local institutions have increased capacity and better governance

• A.1.1 Training on forestry and wildlife policies, legislations, governance, leadership and institutional management
• A.1.2 Advocacy and policies awareness creation
• A.1.3 Organise monthly meetings/ forums
• A.1.4 Develop 2 community forest action plans

Output 2. Local institutions have increased technical skills and knowledge to monitor and regulate sustainable use of natural resources

• A.2.1 Onsite trainings on basic IBA monitoring
• A.2.2 Onsite trainings on anti-poaching control and mobile data collection
• A.2.3 Monthly forest patrols
• A.2.4 Carried out biodiversity surveys and forest disturbance
• A.2.5 Purchase face masks and hand sanitizers
• A.2.6 Procure monitoring equipment

Output 3. Forest adjacent communities are receiving greater income and benefits

• A.3.1 Training on entrepreneurial skills, Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), business plan, marketing and market links
• A.3.2 Training on trees and grafted fruits nursery establishment and management
• A.3.3 Support with tree nursery implements and tree seeds varieties
• A.3.4 Develop business plan and marketing strategy for tree seedlings production
• A.3.5 Purchase and distribute Langstroth beehives and beehive handling kits

Output 4. Lessons learned from the response are disseminated

• A.4.1 Share lessons learned on rapid response actions
• A.4.2 Share lessons learned and experience during annual national SSG training workshop

The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)

Output 1. Local institutions have increased capacity and better governance

• 2 SSGs have their forest governance improved and functioning
• Reduced cases of forest destruction

Output 2. Local institutions have increased technical skills and knowledge to monitor and regulate sustainable use of natural resources

• Regular biodiversity monitoring and reporting
• Reduced poaching of wildlife and other forest resources  

Output 3. Forest adjacent communities are receiving greater income and benefits

• Increased household incomes for group members
• Forests restored
• Increase on sales of Non-Timber Forest Products

Output 4. Lessons learned from the response are disseminated

• Shared monthly lessons learned in group social media
• Similar actions are replicated in other forests KBAs across the country

Download the project infofiche.

Implementing organisations

Nature Kenya

Photo credits: © Nature Kenya

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