MANAGEMENT PLAN 2018 2022 - Mara North Conservancy
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MANAGEMENT PLAN
2018 − 2022
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
1
2
FRONT/BACK COVER: ©ASILIA RESIDENT SAFARI: Game drive, Mara Bush Houses
2018 - 2022
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
3
20 YEAR VISION
To be a world class conservancy with a long term commitment
to benefit the environment, wildlife and community livelihoods
through a strong tourism partnership.
© SILVERLESS: Bush walk, Elephant Pepper Camp
The implementation of this management plan has been approved by
On behalf of the On behalf of the
MNC LANDOWNERS COMMITTEE (LOC) MNC TOURIST PARTNERS (TPs)
Francis Nkoitoi Stefano Cheli
Chairman of the LOC Chairman of the Directors of MNC
On behalf of the On behalf of the
KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE (KWS) NAROK COUNTY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE (NCWCCC)
Julius Kimani Johnson Sipitiek
Director General Chairman
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
4 2018 - 2022Contents
Participation of Communities in the Preparation of The Management Plan 6
Benefits and Beneficiaries 7
Section 1: MNC: THE CURRENT SITUATION 8
Section 2: OUR 5 YEAR GOALS 14
Section 3: GOALS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES 16
Section 4: IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN AND MEASURING IMPACT 23
Acronyms
AGM Annual General Meeting
AKT Anne Kent Taylor (Fund)
AWF African Wildlife Foundation
CE County Executive
COG County Government
CWCCC County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee
FGM Female Genital Mutilation
HQ Headquarters
ILRI International Livestock Research Institute
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
KAG Kenya Assemblies of God
KATO Kenya Association of Tour Operators
KTF Kenya Tourism Federation
KWS Kenya Wildlife Services
KWT Kenya Wildlife Trust
LO Landowner
LOC Landowners Committee
LVBC Lake Victoria Basin Commission
MaMaSe Mau Mara Serengeti Sustainable Water Initiative
MCA Member of the County Assembly
MCP Mara Cheetah Project
MEP Mara Elephant Project
MHP Mara Hyena Project
MLP Mara Lion Project
MMWCA Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association
MNC Mara North Conservancy (Ltd)
MNH Mara North Holdings (Ltd)
NCG Narok County Government
NEMA National Environment Management Authority
SNV Stichting Nederlandse Vrijwilligers (Netherlands Development Organization)
TP Tourism Partner
UTM Universal Transverse Mercator
WRMA Water Resource Management Authority
WWF World Wildlife Fund
MNC LOCATION DETAILS:
COUNTRY: Kenya
COUNTY: Narok
SUB-COUNTY: Narok West
WARD: Mara
SUB-LOCATIONS: Aitong, Lemek, Mararianda
SETTLEMENTS: Aitong, Lemek, Mararianda, Ngosuani, Endonyio Rinka, Olemoncho, Talek, Olareorok and Rekero
COORDINATES: MNC HQ = 1°09’28.4”S 35°08’41.9”E | MNC Airstrip = 1°08’37.6”S 35°07’47.8”E
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
5Participation of Communities in the
Preparation of The Management Plan
In the development of this MNC Management Plan, stakeholder consultation meetings were carried out
to generate, in a participatory manner, the threats, challenges, goals and activities as well as confirm
all contents of the draft of this plan.
Stakeholders consulted during this process included landowner committee members, women and youth
representatives, tourism partners, conservancy managers, grazing committee members, Maasai Mara
Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA) representatives, members of the County Assembly, the
County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee (CWCCC), Area Chief, Church leaders,
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the County Executive for Tourism and Wildlife, the County Officer of
Environment, Water and Natural Resources, guides, researchers, non-governmental organisations
(NGOs), the Narok District Commission and the Narok County Police Department. The MNC
landowners were also consulted at a community baraza. We would like to extend our gratitude to all
those who took the time to be part of this process. (A full report detailing the proceedings and list of
attendees at these stakeholders consultation meetings is annexed to this Management Plan and can
be obtained from MNC on request).
© MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY: Stakeholders’ consultation
This document was compiled by Chania Frost. Acknowledgements go to Daniel Muli for co-facilitation, Lucy Cameron for
assistance and all participants of the consultation process.
Mara North Conservancy would also like to extend their sincere thanks to Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association and
Tusk Trust for their kind financial contribution towards the development and completion of this Management Plan.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
6 2018 - 2022Benefits and Beneficiaries
INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNANCE: MNC has a representative
conservancy board with both tourism partners and landowners, cultivating
a common vision and a platform for communal decision-making.
GUARANTEED PAYMENTS: Currently around 800 individuals (as at
December 2017) benefit from fixed, transparent monthly payments to
their individual bank accounts which allow them to access loans, pay for
education, health and livestock veterinary services.
LEGAL GRAZING OF CATTLE: MNC has a cattle grazing plan developed
with the grazing committees. The benefit of grazing on MNC is available
exclusively to the 750 landowners leasing land for conservation to MNC.
LAND MANAGEMENT AND DUAL LAND USE: The conservancy is managed
year-round to maximise ecosystem health and minimise overgrazing and
soil erosion, benefiting all MNC landowners in the long-term as healthy
rangelands sustain both livestock and wildlife. This dual land use - for
pastoralism and wildlife tourism - generates a double source of income
and maintains the pastoralist culture of the community.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT: MNC member camps currently employ 420 staff
of which 260 or 61% are from the local area; 28 of the 420 are women;
of which 15 or 55% are from the local area. A minimum of a further 35
rangers are employed, with a minimum of 75% from the MNC community.
LOW VOLUME, LOW IMPACT, HIGH-END TOURISM: MNC’s low volume
tourism model provides an exclusive tourism experience, low impact on
the environment, as well as aims to generate higher revenue per tourist as
compared with the mass market in order to enable the camps to afford
lease fees and conservancy management costs. Through this, MNC has
the potential to be a self-sustaining model, benefitting MNC’s landowners
and the wider habitat and community in the long-term.
LOCAL ECONOMY: Tourist properties make monthly guaranteed payments
to MNC which provide for lease fees, as well as employ from the local
community and hire casual labour, providing income for approximately 6
thousand people neighbouring the conservancy.
PHILANTHROPY AND SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS TOURISM: Charitable
foundations, partners of Mara North and tourism operators raise funds to
undertake social projects, including infrastructure development, training
and provision of supplies for over 12 schools and 3 health clinics, as well as
for female empowerment, social enterprise and provision of drinking and
washing water.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Daily ranger patrols combined with intelligence
connections with Kenya Wildlife Service, Narok County rangers and
police personnel ensure the areas surrounding conservancies are safe for
tourists, local traders, the community and wildlife. Activities such as petty
theft, poaching, cattle rustling, organised crime and other social ills are
prevented or minimized, benefitting not only the tourism industry but the
wider community as a whole.
HONOURING THE MAASAI CULTURE: MNC provides incentives for
communities to continue embracing wildlife on their land owing to the
above multiple benefits. In doing so, it helps keep land within the local
Maasai community and enables grazing of their cattle, thereby continuing
their ancestral practices. MNC also honours the Maasai culture in terms of
the traditional dress, dancing and practices like use of medicinal plants.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
© KAREN BLIXEN CAMP: The atmosphere and people
© OFFBEAT MARA CAMP: Lion portrait
© OFFBEAT MARA CAMP: Livestock and culture Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
7SECTION 1:
MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY: THE CURRENT
SITUATION
LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
MNC was established on the 1st of January 2009 as a not-for-profit public company leasing land
(approximately 25,594 Ha from 750 Landowners as at December 2017) in Koiyaki and Lemek Hills,
Narok County and is managed by a Board of Directors. Mara North Holdings Ltd is the governing entity
behind MNC and holds the legal entitlement to all the lease contracts between MNC and the
landowners. The Mara North Holdings directorship consists of 4 landowners, elected by the 750
landowners and 4 tourism partners elected by the 13 tourism operators. There is also an independent
Chair elected by the 8 Directors. The MNH Board meet once per quarter and elect, every 2 years in
December, the Executive Committee, who are responsible for providing support to the MNC staff on
daily operational and management functions. The AGM is held in December. The Board of Directors
and the Executive Committee are not entitled to any allowances or sitting fee whatsoever to ensure
transparency in the management of MNC. (The MNH Ltd Cert. of Incorporation and KRA Tax PIN Cert.
are annexed to this Management Plan and can obtained from MNC on request).
MNC Governance Organogram
LANDOWNERS (LOs) TOURISM PARTNERS (TPs)
Approx. 750 LOs 13 paying members camps/lodges/riding outfits
Represented by 21 members of the Landowners Committee (LOC)
4X REPS 4X REPS
MARA NORTH HOLDINGS LTD
9 Directors (4 TPs, 4 LOs, 1 Independent Chair)
CEO
+
(COO)
ADMINISTRATOR CONSERVANCY MANAGER CFO
AND TEAM (Rangers and Team) AND TEAM
The 750 LOs of MNC are also represented by a committee of 21. The full LO Committee meets once
per quarter in the Mara. There are also several representative sub-committees of the LOC (Grazing
Committees, Settlement Committee, Compensation Committee), who meet regularly to discuss any
issues/conflict in their specific areas. MNC endeavours to hold a general Landowner’s baraza (meeting)
annually where possible and if needed.
MNH leases land directly from individual landowners and provides direct and transparent payments.
MNC member camps guarantee the fixed monthly lease payments for the privilege to game drive
within the wildlife area. The lease payment is not subject to the number of conservancy tickets sold
and therefore not dependent on any fluctuations in tourism. However, this model is evolving, with the
aim of increasing transparency and coordination across the conservancies, and the MNC board aspires
to find the best way forward for the long-term sustainability of the Conservancy.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
8 2018 - 2022WILDLIFE AND HABITAT
1. Key species
MNC is an area of high biodiversity including 550 bird and 95 mammal species. Of all these species
that grace the conservancy, MNC highly values the following species that are critical to the integrity of
the area as well as the MNC model:
• Western white bearded wildebeest in their resident herds and great migration.
• Large carnivores, namely lions, leopards and cheetahs (all IUCN status Vulnerable).
• African elephant (IUCN/WWF status Vulnerable).
• Black Rhino (IUCN/WWF status Critically Endangered).
• Vulture species, including the Rüppell’s, Nubian, Hooded and White-backed vulture (all IUCN status
Critically Endangered).
We are also proud to have large numbers of: buffalo, zebra, hippopotamus, (IUCN/WWF status
Vulnerable), crocodile, Maasai giraffe, eland, spotted hyena, topi and warthog.
2. Climate and habitat
• Rainfall is unevenly distributed with an annual average rainfall ranging from 500mm to 1,800 mm.
The long rains start from March to June with a peak in April while short rains occur between the
months of September and December.
• Temperatures are relatively constant with a mean of 18 — 20⁰C with a mean minimum of 12⁰C and
mean maximum of 26⁰C.
• Soils are generally characterized by shallow sandy, well-drained soils at the hills, changing to deep,
silt poorly drained soils, known as black cotton, at the plains.
• Habitat is largely tropical open savannah, featuring Croton, Acacia, Balanites and Elephant Pepper
trees.
• The Mara River runs along the northern border of the conservancy and is flanked by riverine
woodland commonly consisting of Euclea, Elephant Pepper, Giant Diospyros and Wild Olive. The
Mara River is threatened by deforestation of the Mau forest and upstream use by farmers, as
well as run-off from farms. Efforts to protect the Mara River are currently being implemented by
MaMaSe, LVBC, WRMA and the Ministry of Environment. MMWCA represents MNC and other Mara
conservancies in communicating with these organisations and lobbying on behalf of the Mara
conservancies to protect this vital source of water for the Maasai Mara.
• The conservancy also features some marshlands, dominated by sedges. Vegetation is mainly
indigenous.
• Common grasses: Red oat grass (Olperesi o-rasha) and Bamboo grass (Ologor oing’ok).
• Common trees: Whistling thorn (Eluai); Various Acacia species; Balanites (Olng’osua); Elephant
Pepper trees, also known as the African greenheart tree (Osokonoi); Various fig species ; Wild
olive, (Oloirien) and Giant Diospyros.
• Common bushes: Croton (Olokirding’ai) and Euclea (Olkinyei).
LAND USE, CULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS
1. Community and ethnicity, Maasai culture
• The Maasai have a colourful and proud cultural heritage, centred on the traditional semi-nomadic
pastoralist lifestyle and strong communal social organization.
• Traditional dress, language, music and dance are all instantly recognizable as “Maasai”.
• Age-old rituals form important pillars in identity and well-being.
• Traditional beliefs towards wildlife have further enhanced a generally peaceful and mutually
beneficial co-existence between people, wildlife and the land.
• The common religion is Christianity.
2. Land area, ownership, tenure and land use
• Currently MNC leases land covering 25,594 Ha (as at December 2017).
• Land is individually owned by the local community, with title deeds issued to individual landowners.
• The main land uses are conservation and livestock rearing.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
9• Land is mainly flat with softly rolling plains apart from the northern section of the conservancy
which lies in the Lemek Hills.
• Altitude: Maximum 2,109m and minimum 1,567m.
3. Settlements
• Settlement patterns are influenced by land use, land potential, land tenure and urbanization.
• Settlement takes places in various forms including permanent urban settlements, temporary or
semi-permanent bomas, tourism camps, ‘research’ centres and permanent wildlife forces bases.
• Electricity reaches Lemek, Aitong Centre and Mararianda.
4. Livelihoods
• Pastoralism: Predominant breeds are Zebu cattle, Red Maasai and Dorper sheep and Small East
African Goats. Livestock are sold at the Aitong market on Thursdays, Mararianda and Talek on
Wednesdays and Lemek on Tuesdays.
• Leasing land for conservation: Currently, 690 landowners lease land to MNC with a further 137
individuals receiving monthly payments (as at December 2017) made as a result of the landowners
requests to have part of the payments channeled to alternative accounts. Landowners who have
a tourism property on their land also earn extra income from direct agreements with their tourism
partner.
• Employment: MNC member camps currently employ approximately 420 staff of which
approximately 260 or 61% are from the local area. 28 of the 420 are women, of which 15 or 55% are
from the local area. A minimum of a further 35 rangers are employed, with a minimum of 75% from
the MNC community. Other employers include: NGOs, health centres, schools and churches.
• Businesses/trade: Mararianda has 40 businesses whereas Aitong has 70 businesses consisting
mainly of retail shops, pubs and food kiosks. The main items imported for trading include clothing,
building materials (corrugated iron sheets, timber and hardware) and crops (maize, beans, rice, and
wheat flour), mostly from Kilgoris, Kisii, or Narok. The main exports are livestock and beadwork.
• Crop cultivation: Small scale crops are cultivated outside the conservancy area mainly for
subsistence and limited trade. The main crops grown are maize and beans.
5. Access to water and grazing
• Access to communal water: On average it takes 80 minutes to collect water in the dry season and
mean water used per person per day is only 11.6 litres. 96% of homesteads have the capability of
collecting rainwater but only 10% currently have large water tanks. Encouraging this homestead
level approach to water provision has great potential in the Mara. Most people drink untreated water.
• The following sources of water are available to the community:
–– Surface water with springs and dams: Springs in Aitong centre, between Aitong and Lemek
at Olchorro Loosoit near Mara Bush Houses and on the border of Koiyaki and Lemek Group
Ranches near Rekero. There is a large pan with water for livestock and taps as well as a spring
next to it. Dams are on the border of Aitong and on former Chief Sitany’s land.
–– Ground water: There is a borehole in Olturotua with a pipeline to Enturoto KAG Church.
–– Schools with Rainwater harvesting systems installed: Ololomei, Olemoncho and Rekero Primary
Schools.
6. Institutions
• The following institutions play an important role in their various ways, from day-to-day
management to the long term sustainability of MNC: Landowner committee, Women’s groups,
Grazing committees, Zone committees, Compensation committees, Bursary committee, Youth
groups and Settlement committees.
7. Health, education and sanitation
• Health: The MNC area is served by two health clinics run by the Christian Missionary Fellowship
(CMF). The Mararianda CMF clinic serves an average of 3,500 patients a year and Aitong CMF
Health Centre serves an average of 7,000 patients a year and has a maternity unit. Other health
facilities include: a 24hr clinic in Mararianda, the Endonyio Rinka clinic, and dispensary at Olare
Orok. Government health services are limited and there is very little mental health support.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
10 2018 - 2022The most common diseases reported include malaria, typhoid, common cold, brucellosis,
respiratory related diseases, dysentry, diarrhoea and HIV/AIDS. Most referral cases are made to
Narok County Hospital, as well as Kijabe Mission Hospital in Kiambu County or Tenwek Missionary
Hospital in Bomet County.
• Education: There are multiple primary schools and three secondary schools in the area, serving
collectively approx 4,500 pupils. 1 in 10 school age children are not in school. In nursery the ratio of
boys to girls is nearly 1 to 1 but in secondary school this is nearly down to 10 to 1.
• Sanitation: Availability and use of toilets is limited - only 16% of homesteads have a latrine whilst
the remaining 84% use the open fields and bushes. Solid waste is not managed but an initiative
has been set up to try to tackle this in Aitong.
8. Conflict
Human-wildlife conflict is common with the main problems being livestock predation and crop raiding.
Crop raiding hotspots are: Ngosuani, Oiti, Munyaas and Aitong. Livestock predation hotspots are:
Olemoncho, Ngosuani, Mararianda and Endonyio Rinka. Wildlife-related casualties are also reported
resulting in 1 - 2 human deaths per annum. Livestock predation has, on average over 2015, 2016 and
2017 resulted in loss of 215 cows, 84 goats and 451 sheep per year. Over these 3 years, the highest
number of incidents were caused by hyena (avg 165 per year), followed by lions (avg 116 per year).
MNC has established a predator compensation scheme to help compensate for the loss of livestock
and reduce retaliation on predators. Mara Elephant Project, based in MNC, also helps reduce crop
raiding by elephants. Predator proof bomas have also been installed in the area, most notably by the
Anne Kent Taylor Fund.
9. Community outreach work
Multiple community outreach programs are being undertaken in the area by partners of MNC, ranging
from education, training and wildlife clubs to work on health, family planning, sanitation and waste
management, as well as gender balance, enterprise and governance. The Obel Family Foundation has
especially made a significant contribution to community outreach work in MNC.
TOURISM PRODUCT AND NUMBERS
1. Tourism partnerships and tourist carrying capacities
MNC currently has 13 tourism partners or member camps, including: Alex Walker’s Serian Camp, Saruni
Mara Lodge, Elephant Pepper Camp, Neptune Mararianta Luxury Camp, Karen Blixen Camp, Kicheche
Mara Camp, Mara Bush Houses, Offbeat Mara Camp, Royal Mara Safari Lodge, Richard’s Camp,
Offbeat Riding Safaris, Safaris Unlimited and Mara Plains with a total of 219 beds within MNC. Mara
Plains retains the right for 14 beds, but pays for 6 beds and does not currently utilize the conservancy.
Each of these partners pays a fixed monthly fee per bed to MNC, totaling $1.8 million dollars per
annum.
As part of this and in agreement with our neighbouring conservancies, MNC aspires to have a
minimum ratio of 142ha per bed (350 acres per bed). However, at present with 219 beds, MNC has
exceeded this and has a ratio of 287 acres per bed based on the current 25,438ha leased. MNC
therefore looks to expand this leased area to achieve the ideal beds per acre ratio. One more potential
member, Monarch Safari Lodge, may join MNC during 2018 with a development of 16 beds, pending
completion of the joining process. Any new tourist facilities in MNC are also subject to a fixed set of
development guidelines (these are available on request from MNC).
2. Quality targets
MNC highly values its tourism partners and the monthly fee they pay enables the conservancy to pay
for all lease payments as well as management, administration and legal costs. Member camps manage
their own price and volume in order to cover their monthly fees. Volume of tourists can and have been
impacted by external forces, such as terrorism, national politics and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa,
and MNC does its best to ensure that such negative impacts on tourism do not affect the quality of
the conservancy.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
113. Tourist management regulations
As part of MNC’s ethos of providing a world class tourism product and minimal impact on the
environment and wildlife, MNC has developed the below code of conduct for all guides and tourists
alike to respect and follow:
• Don’t crowd – only 5 cars allowed at a sighting.
• Keep your distance from animals - 20 meters minimum.
• Do not harass wildlife.
• Keep it to a whisper.
• Stay in the car.
• Keep out of thickets.
• Stay on the track.
• Drive Slowly - the maximum speed limit is 30kph when game driving and when off the main C13 road.
• Do not litter.
• Only night game drives until 10pm and always use red filters on any spotlights.
• Respect your guide.
• Respect the rangers.
• Don’t approach walkers or horse riders with your vehicle.
• Walking on MNC must always be guided by a guide from a member camp and an armed ranger.
• A fining system is established for those that do not respect and follow the above rules.
LIVESTOCK AND GRAZING MANAGEMENT
1. Livestock numbers and carrying capacities
MNC understands and values the importance of cattle to the community and conducts managed
grazing of cattle within its boundaries. Currently, the conservancy is opened for managed rotational
grazing throughout the year. In the low tourism season, however, grazing on the conservancy is
disproportionately high and the conservancy does occasionally get overrun by up to 30,000 head of
livestock. MNC is working to establish the carrying capacity of cattle grazing, estimated at about
12,000 head with wildlife taken into account, in order to feed into adaptive management of the
conservancy.
2. Quality of stock, stock numbers taken to market, sold and price fetched
Only cattle are permitted to graze on MNC. Sheep and goats are not allowed on the conservancy
because of their destructive impact on the environment. Cattle breeds are dominated by Zebu though
MNC has been running a breeding demonstration program which cross-breeds Zebu with improved
Boran cattle and several cattle owners are now following suit. Community cattle grazing on the
conservancy are often not taken to market afterwards and MNC is working to set up a community-
owned fattening herd, as well as improve access to markets, timely sales and the overall income from
livestock.
3. Grazing management
The whole of MNC is divided into 4 zones, each of which is divided into grazing blocks which are
opened at specific times according to forage availability. Livestock grazing on MNC is strategically
managed with four established grazing committees assigned to each of the conservancy zones. Only
landowners of MNC are allowed to graze their cattle in the conservancy.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
12 2018 - 2022SECURITY, OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Rangers
MNC has a minimum team of 35 rangers, 75% employed from the local community.
2. Training
All rangers have received in-house training and where finances are available, rangers are sent to
government law enforcement institutions.
3. Partners
Crucial to MNC’s work to protect and manage the conservancy, we partner with: Kenya Police,
Narok County Government, Kenya Wildlife Service, Mara Elephant Project, Maasai Mara Wildlife
Conservancies Association.
4. Equipment
Equipment on the conservancy includes 4 vehicles, a basic radio network, 2 generators, basic solar
power equipment for office electronics and cattle weighing scales.
5. Scale and location of infrastructure
• Roads: The public C13, all weather, road from Olulunga to Mararianda passes through MNC. All
other roads are tracks that are permissible for game drive use only to MNC member properties.
The game tracks span 270km.
• HQ: The headquarters is on the north west border. This is a permanent stone building
with corrugated iron roof, 9 offices and a strong room. There is also accommodation for
the Conservancy Manager, rangers and MNC staff, as well as a camp for the MNC COO.
It is approximately 4.5km from the C13 road. Further, the team in Nairobi, including an
administrator, database manager and accountant, rent an office in Nairobi.
• Ranger bases: There are 6 – 7 ranger bases strategically spread around MNC at any one time,
each manned by 3 – 5 rangers.
• Airstrip: Mara North Airstrip is 1,800m long, all weather airstrip maintained by MNC. A small
fee is charged to external parties who use this airstrip to contribute to maintenance.
6. Camp security
All camps are secured by camp security personnel. Camps are also supported by the Mara
Conservancy with tracker dogs and armed rangers when necessary.
© KAREN BLIXEN CAMP: Rangers
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
13SECTION 2:
OUR 5 YEAR GOALS
WILDLIFE AND HABITAT
Wildlife
• Reduce Human Wildlife Conflict by 40%
• Maintain existing migratory corridors
• Keep the boundaries with the MMNR and OMC free from settlements
• Strive to eliminate poaching in MNC
• Reduce disease transmission by 40% from domestic to wild animals and vice versa
Habitat
• Halt and reclaim fenced land by 60%
• Reduce land sub-division and sales by 40%
• Reduce land use incompatible with conservation by 50%
• Coordinate and control the development of structures around the conservancy
CULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS
Land Area
• Mitigate land subdivision
• Increase the returns of land under conservation
• Reduce human population growth to 5%
Settlement
• Develop & implement settlement plan
Communal Water
• Provide sufficient quantity and quality of water in a sustainable way for people and livestock
Culture
• Maintain culture
Livelihoods
• Safeguard land
• Empower local women
• Implement the MNC cultural manyatta policy
Health
• Improve access to affordable, quality healthcare services
Education
• Improve access to quality education
• Alleviate poverty
• Reduce the dropout rate of boys & girls
TOURISM
Tourism Carrying Capacity
• Stop expansion of current tourism facilities and creation of additional tourism facilities
Quality Targets
• Enforce Minimum Environmental standards
• Achieve Silver Eco-Rating at all member camps
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
14 2018 - 2022Management Regulations
• Stop charcoal burning and collecting firewood within MNC completely
• Control littering in all centres and lodges
• Enforce NEMA noise pollution acceptable levels
• Enforce management regulations on MNC
LIVESTOCK
Livestock Numbers
• Determine the carrying capacity
• Determine exact number of livestock on the conservancy and record keeping
• Manage access to water points and salt licks
• Reduce numbers of livestock to sustainable level
• Improve access to markets for livestock owners
Livestock Breed and Type
• Improve Livestock Breed
• Eradicate grazing of sheep and goats in the Conservancy
Grazing Management
• Continue to develop the comprehensive grazing plan (wet & dry season)
SECURITY
Rangers
• Get adequate funding to improve ranger services
• Improve mobility
• Achieve proper control of cattle and herders
• Have a comprehensive code of regulation for incident response
• Ensure rangers are motivated
Equipment
• Get funding for much-needed equipment for managing MNC effectively
• Improve handling of equipment
• Seek permission and Licensing for firearms and radios
Infrastructure and Development
• Get funding for vital infrastructure
• Ensure proper maintenance of infrastructure
• Seek landowners consent for non-permanent construction
Camp Security
• Have a rapid response unit
Partners
• Achieve a structured relationship with partners
• Achieve coordinated security
• Create motivation of partners to work together with MNC
Training
• Get adequate funding to train rangers
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
15SECTION 3:
GOALS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
WILDLIFE AND HABITAT
GOAL THREAT ACTIVITY RELEVANT PARTIES
Reduce Human Human Conduct community awareness meetings to reduce Conservancy Manager, LOC,
Wildlife Conflict Wildlife retaliatory actions CWCCC, KWS, NCG, MEP
by 40% Conflict Manage foot traffic in the conservancy Conservancy Manager (CM)
Put up more predator proof bomas and chilli fences CM, Development Partners,
in hot spots AKT, MEP
Notify the CWCCC of conflict cases reported in NCG, MN Board
the conservancy
Maintain existing Loss of Conduct education and dialogue Conservancy Manager, LOC,
wildlife corridors migratory MMWCA, KWS, NCG
corridors Actively encourage and engage in activities that NCG, Conservancy Manager,
work to reduce fencing and blockage of wildlife LOC, MMWCA
corridors, as well as protect dispersal areas
Coordinate with Pardamat and Lemek to protect CM, LOC, Pardamat, Lemek,
wildlife corridors MMWCA
Wildlife
Keep the Incentivise landowners to move CM, LOC
boundaries with Patrol the boundaries CM
the MMNR and
OMC free from
settlements
Strive to Poaching Conduct anti–poaching community awareness CM, LOC, KWS, NCG,
eliminate MMWCA
poaching in Improve security coordination CM, MMWCA, KWS, NCG
MNC
Identify the markets and discourage consumption KWS, Police, MEP
Reduce disease Disease Encourage vaccination of livestock and dogs at Ministry of Livestock, NCG,
transmission by transmission community barazas MMWCA
from domestic from Ensure that no domestic cats and dogs are found MN Board, CM, LOC, Area
to wild animals domestic to within the conservancy Chief, Community, University
and vice versa wild animals of Nairobi and University
and vice of Copenhagen, Director of
versa Veterinary Services – Narok,
ILRI
Halt and reclaim Fencing Create a fencing mitigation policy MN Board, MMWCA
fenced land by Create awareness on effects of fencing CM, LOC, MMWCA, MEP
60%
Ensure that MNC works with MMWCA to get our MN Board, MMWCA, NCG
input into the County spatial plan
Reduce land Land sub– Register lease agreements MNC, LOC, Ministry of Land,
sub–division and division and MMWCA
sales by 40% sales Create awareness of negative effects of selling land MNC, LOC
Work with MMWCA and NCG to implement land– NCG, MMWCA, MN Board
use plan and lobby against corruption at the
Ministry of Land office
Habitat
Reduce Competing Ensure that MNC works with MMWCA to get our NCG, MN Board, LOC,
incompatible land use input into the County spatial plan Surveyors, MMWCA
land use by 50% Maximise returns from conservation MN Board, MMWCA
Discourage other land uses through communication LOC, MMWCA, CM
of benefits MNC delivers at community barazas
Coordinate Unplanned Lobby with NEMA to ensure that MNC seeks a MN Board, NEMA, KWS,
and control the development letter of no objection before any Environmental MMWCA, KWCA
development Impact Assessment is issued – whether for a
of structures tourism property, school, church or any other
around the development
conservancy Run a communications campaign to sensitise MMWCA, MN Board, LOC
stakeholders on the importance of planned
development and the laws that MNC will enforce
relating to development
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
16 2018 - 2022LAND USE, CULTURE AND LIVELIHOODS
RELEVANT
GOAL THREAT ACTIVITY
PARTIES
Mitigate land Land sub- Register lease agreements MN Board, MMWCA
subdivision division, Engage other landowners to sign leases LOC, CM
fragmentation
and sale Engage MNC landowners so that each LOC, CM
subdivided plot is secured with a lease
Provide alternative settlement options MN Board
Land Tenure & Use
Create awareness about the impact of LOC, CM, MMWCA
subdividing land and fencing
Increase the Landowners Develop alternative revenue streams so as to MN Board, MMWCA
returns of selling land compete with other forms of land use
land under Quantify the total value of the conservancy,
conservation including employment, marketing, taxation,
game reserve fees, landowner payments,
management costs, and livestock grazing, for
lobbying government and raising donor funding
and development aid.
Reduce human Population Encourage practice of family planning MN Board, LOC,
population increase and MMWCA, NCG
growth to 5% conflicting land
use
Develop and Unplanned Develop better social amenities in the centres MN Board, CM,
implement settlement to encourage settlement in centres MMWCA, LOC, NCG
settlement plan Map authorised centre boundaries and MNC Ops, MMWCA
recognised settlement areas
Ensure that MNC works with MMWCA and MN Board, MMWCA,
Settlement
directly with the County to get our input into NCG
the County spatial plan
Create awareness about the importance of LOC, CM
spatial planning
Relocate settlements to LO’s own alternative MN Board, LOC, CM
parcels outside the conservancy, or to
allocated host parcels leased inside the
conservancy
Keep boundary between the MMNR and MNC CM, LOC, NCG
free from settlement
Provide Inadequate Identify key locations that are suitable for LOC, CM, MN Board,
Access to
sufficient quality and rainwater harvesting system installation and MMWCA
Water
quality and access to seek funding to construct them
reliable water water Identify key locations that are suitable for dam
resources construction and seek funding to construct
them
Maintain culture Maasai culture Create awareness amongst youth, church, LOC, MMWCA
Culture
is negatively members and school going children to embrace
influenced by progressive Maasai culture
foreign cultures
Generally, the conservancy has improved the livelihood of its
members through monthly guarantee lease fee payments and
well organised grazing plans for wildlife and livestock.
JOSEPH NABAALA, CHIEF OF AITONG, MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
17RELEVANT
GOAL THREAT ACTIVITY
PARTIES
Safeguard land Land sub- Register lease agreements MMWCA, MN Board,
division, LOC, Land Office,
Upscale benefits
fragmentation Land Board
and sale Advocacy
Empower local Too many Fundraise to provide training on quality of MMWCA, TPs
Livelihoods
women curio shops beaded products through outreach program
and camps Create space in camps for quality beaded TPs
purchasing products made by local women
beadwork in
Nairobi not
locally
Implement the Exploitation Identify suitable manyattas MMWCA, MN Board
MNC cultural by tour drivers
Re-confirm the cultural manyatta policy MN Board
manyatta policy at cultural
manyattas Implement fines for guides CM, MN Board
Coordinate with tourism properties LOC, TPs, CM
Improve access Lack of enough Fundraise to improve the quality of designated MMWCA, TPs
to affordable, equipped health facilities and the equipment they own
quality health facilities
Health
Create awareness about sanitation and LOC, MMWCA
healthcare and expertise maintaining latrines
services
Partake in the governance of health facilities in MMWCA
the area
Fundraise to hire and train expertise MMWCA, TPs
Improve access Lack of enough Fundraise to improve learning facilities TPs, MMWCA,
to quality facilities and Ministry of
Fundraise to provide learning and teaching
education personnel Education
materials
and learning/
teaching Fundraise to hire trained teachers
materials Fundraise to build capacity of teachers
Alleviate poverty Poverty Fundraise to provide training on micro MMWCA, TPs
Education
enterprise
Create employment
Create market access for beaded products
Reduce the High school Continue to create awareness on importance of MMWCA, LOC,
dropout rate of dropout rates education through mother-daughter forums and Community -
boys and girls father-son forums in MNC outreach program parenting
Continue to address FGM, early marriage and
early pregnancies in MNC outreach program
Continue to provide guiding and counselling in
the MNC outreach program
© OFFBEAT MARA CAMP: Local Maasai
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
18 2018 - 2022TOURISM PRODUCT AND NUMBERS
GOAL THREAT ACTIVITY RELEVANT PARTIES
Stop expansion Construction Develop a comprehensive membership MN Board
of current of new tourism agreement
Tourism Carrying
tourism facilities facilities Implement MNC's internal protocol for TPs, CM, MN Board,
and creation preventing construction of any new LOC, CWCCC, NEMA,
of additional
Capacity
unauthorized facilities MMWCA
tourism facilities
Widely circulate this management plan MN Board
to communicate to external parties
MNC's standpoint on construction of
new facilities in the conservancy
Raise awareness amongst landowners LOC, CM, MMWCA
about the impact of new developments
Market the MNC model and membership TPs, KATO, KTF
Enforce Lack of Develop minimum environmental MN Board, Other
minimum minimum standards through consultation with conservancies
environmental environmental other conservancies and review of
standards standards current policy, especially for solid and
liquid waste.
Targets
Quality
Achieve silver Make it compulsory for camps to be MN Board
eco-rating at all eco-rated by Ecotourism Kenya
member camps
Achieve MNC will work to achieve compliance MNC Nairobi team &
compliance with the national water regulations TPs with support from
with the especially with regard to extraction and MaMaSe
national water discharge of water
regulations
Stop charcoal Charcoal Create awareness about the impact of LOC, CM, Area Chief
burning and burning/logging deforestation and collecting domestic
collecting firewood
firewood within Fundraise to help communities find an TPs, MMWCA
MNC completely alternative source of fuel - e.g. biogas,
woodlots
Implement charcoal burning fine and MN Board, CM
plan/policy for handling it
Managements Regulations
To control Litter Work with Area Chief to create LOC, Area Chief,
littering in all pollutes the awareness about impact of littering MMWCA
centres and environment Develop and implement a fining system MN Board, LOC, Area
lodges and can be together with the Area Administration Chief
ingested by
livestock and
wildlife and is
an eye sore for
everyone and a
health hazard
Enforce NEMA Noise pollution Raise awareness about the impact of CM, LOC, Area Chief
noise pollution noise pollution (e.g. from churches) on
acceptable tourism
levels Work with local police and Area Chief to CM, LOC, Area Chief,
enforce laws on noise pollution Police
Enforce Lack of Raise donor funds and conservancy MN Board, TPs
management management revenue in general to increase budget to
regulations on capacity allow for doubling of ranger numbers
MNC to enforce Implement conservancy management CM, MN Board
regulations divisions (i.e. security/grazing/anti-
poaching divisions)
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
19LIVESTOCK AND GRAZING MANAGEMENT
RELEVANT
GOAL THREAT ACTIVITY
PARTIES
Determine Not knowing Fundraise for training of rangers and TPs, MMWCA
the carrying the carrying herdmen and grazing committees
capacity capacity Raise awareness among landowners on LOC, CM, MMWCA
the importance of having the right number
of stock for the area of land
Analysis of forage and impact of grazing MN Board, CM
Livestock Numbers
Determine Actual numbers Conduct a head count and maintain CM, Grazing
exact number of of livestock not records of livestock grazing on the Committee
livestock on the determined/ conservancy
conservancy and lack of record- Train rangers and herdsmen on record CM
record keeping keeping keeping
Manage access Degradation Develop, communicate and implement a Grazing committee,
to water points of water points plan to manage water points and salt licks CM, LOC
and salt licks and salt licks, as
well as eroded
routes to salt
licks
Reduce numbers High impact on Develop a system to arrive at the LOC, Landowners,
of livestock to the ecosystem acceptable/sustainable levels by moving MN Board, MNC
sustainable level of high numbers from quantity to quality Cattle Program
of livestock Awareness campaign and exposure trips MMWCA
Improve High numbers of Raise awareness LOC, MMWCA, CM
livestock breed livestock
Livestock
Poor returns Fundraise for training community TPs, MMWCA
Breed
from livestock members and bringing in new bulls
High impact on Run a breeding herd LOC, MNC Cattle
the ecosystem Program
of high numbers
of livestock
Eradicate Sheep and Close the conservancy boundaries CM, LOC
Livestock
(Shoats)
grazing of sheep goats have a Continue to inform the community about LOC, CM
Type
and goats in the detrimental the MNC policy on sheep and goats
conservancy impact to the
habitat
Continue to Illegal or Fundraise for training of rangers and TPs, MMWCA
develop the uncontrolled herdsman and grazing committees on
Grazing Management
comprehensive grazing on MNC holistic management
grazing plan and impact on Ensure participatory development of CM, Grazing
(wet and dry conservancy grazing plan Committee
season)
Fundraise for more equipment and TPs, MMWCA
manpower for strategic grazing plan
management
Implement the plan, report and follow up CM
Improve access Lack of access Utilise and feed existing abattoir MNC Cattle
to markets for to markets Program, Mara Beef
livestock owners Communicate to livestock owners the LOC, MMWCA,
market expectations and how to meet them MaMaSe, SNV
MNC prides itself on improved pasture management with
an elaborate grazing plan that ensures plenty of grass for
livestock and wildlife all year round.
FRANCIS NKOITOI, CHAIRMAN OF THE LOC (LANDOWNER’S COMMITTEE),
MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
20 2018 - 2022SECURITY, OPERATIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
RELEVANT
GOAL THREAT ACTIVITY
PARTIES
To get adequate Inadequate Aim for higher fees paid for conservancy TPs
funding funding management
Secure funding from donors TPs, MMWCA
Approach county government for funding MMWCA, LOC
Improve mobility Lack of mobility Raise funds to purchase more vehicles and TPS, MMWCA, CM
motorbikes and quad-bikes
Raise funds for more ranger posts and TPS, MMWCA, CM
mobile tents
Undertake regular and rigorous maintenance CM
Proper control Uncontrolled Train herders on grazing polices and CM, Grazing
of cattle and cattle and regulations Committee
herders herders Make grazing boundaries clear and visible CM, Grazing
Rangers
Committee
Enforce strict measures and penalties CM, Area Chief,
Police, MNC Ops
To have a Lack of code Draft and print a comprehensive code of CM
comprehensive of regulation regulation for ranger incident response and
code of for the rangers print for each ranger
regulation for incident Train rangers on incident response code of
for incident response regulations
response
Enforce the code of regulations
To have Lack of Provide insurance cover (medical) for CM
motivated motivation rangers and their families
rangers Provide competitive salaries
Ensure gender sensitivity
Send rangers on a refresher course every
3 years
Get funding for Lack of funding Set aside an annual allocation for purchase CM, MN Board
equipment of equipment
Seek donor funding TPs, MMWCA, CM
Improve handling Misuse/ Train staff in handling of equipment CM
of equipment breakage/theft
Equipment
Ensure accountability
of equipment
Secure location for equipment (storekeeper)
Repair and maintenance of equipment by
professional people
Seek permission Lack of Ensure every ranger has a certificate of CM
and licensing permission and good conduct
for firearms and licensing of Make application to the Kenya police for MN Board, CM, KWS
radios firearms and the licenses
radios and other
equipment
Tourism is the biggest foreign exchange earner for Kenya and a very
valuable export. Kenya is unique in the whole of Africa in having been able
to develop the different conservancies, private and community land set aside
for conservation, but also for the benefit and welfare of the local people.
Tourism must remain a pillar of Kenya’s economy.
STEFANO CHELI, CHAIRMAN OF MNC (MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY).
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
21RELEVANT
GOAL THREAT ACTIVITY
PARTIES
To get funding Lack of funding Allocate an annual budget for maintenance MN Board, CM
Infrastructure and Development
for infrastructure Seek donor funding for infrastructure and TPS, MMWCA, CM
development
Approach county government and national MMWCA, LOC, CM
government for assistance
To ensure proper Inadequate Allocate an annual budget for maintenance MN Board, CM
maintenance of maintenance Direct water away from destroying roads CM
infrastructure (construct proper drainage and culverts)
Rent and/or purchase of a grader and MN Board, CM
tractor for road maintenance
To seek Inadequate Have a legal and firm letter of no objection LOC, MN Board
landowners agreements with the landowner
consent for with landowners Proper survey to be undertaken before any
non-permanent regarding development
construction infrastructure
and
development
To have rapid Low ability to Conduct training and drills on rapid CM
Camp Security
response unit respond rapidly response
to incidents Ensure 24-hour coordination between
camps and security personnel, including at
MNC HQ, via radio and ensure all numbers
are exchanged
Fire readiness and medical response in
every camp
Achieve a Unstructured Hold regular joint meetings with partners CM, MEP, KWS, Kenya
structured relationship Police, KWT
relationship Create awareness with courts on CM, LOC, MMWCA,
conservation Law Courts
Achieve Uncoordinated Conduct regular communication and CM, Kenya Police,
Partners
coordinated security and awareness raising with the law enforcement KWS, MEP
security HEC mitigation agencies and HEC conflict mitigation
and human- partners with e.g. reports and newsletter
wildlife conflict
mitigation
To create Low motivation Acknowledge, support and awarding of CM, MMWCA, MN
motivation of partners Board
partners to work
together with
MNC
To get adequate Lack of funding Set aside an annual allocation for training MN Board
Training
funding for training for Seek donor funding TPS, MMWCA, CM
general security
work
Our role as the conservancy managers is to be
good stewards of the land and maintain a healthy
balance between the environmental, economic and
social undertakings in the community.
PATRICK SIPARO, CONSERVANCY MANAGER, MARA NORTH CONSERVANCY.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
22 2018 - 2022SECTION 4:
IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN AND
MEASURING IMPACT
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Conservancy Manager appointed by the Mara North
Board of Directors is responsible for developing work
plans and budgets every year based on the goals of this
management plan with corresponding indicators and for
approval by the Board (the approved 2018 annual workplan
is annexed to this Management Plan and can be obtained
from MNC on request). Progress relative to the annual work
plans will be presented to the Board at quarterly meetings
and performance will be assessed against the indicators
laid out in the work plan.
The Conservancy Manager, together with the MNC Staff
Team, are responsible for producing an annual compliance
report as of December 2017 and presenting this to the Mara
North Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting.
The Board is responsible for electing a third party to
undertake a management report at the end of the 5
year period covered by this management plan.
ECOLOGICAL AND WILDLIFE MONITORING
MNC will continue to use the WILD (Wildlife Information &
Landscape Database) mobile phone application (developed
by The PREPARED Project) to monitor wildlife and ecology,
patrol statistics and illegal activity in the conservancy. This
monitoring will be undertaken consistently by the rangers
and conservancy management, with support from MNC and
the regional Conservancies Association, MMWCA.
Reporting will occur on a quarterly basis both to the Mara
North Board and back to the rangers themselves. MNC will
also continue to support and engage with research partners
© ASILIA RESIDENT SAFARI: Lioness, Mara Bush Houses
already undertaking wildlife monitoring in the conservancy,
such as KWT (including MHP, MLP, MCP) and MEP. MNC
will continue to encourage and facilitate the collection,
coordination and information-sharing of all biodiversity
data collected in and around the conservancy.
PROGRESS AGAINST GOALS LAID OUT IN
THIS MANAGEMENT PLAN
Progress against this management plan will be presented
via the annual compliance report at the Mara North Board
Annual General Meeting. Success shall be measured against
key performance indicators in each work plan, which shall
relate to the goals in this management plan.
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
2018 - 2022
23Mara North Conservancy
P.O. Box 15454 - 00509, Hardy.
EMAIL: admin@maranorth.org
TEL: +254 (0) 704 698 162
Mara North Conservancy Management Plan
24 2018 - 2022You can also read
