Community Based Approach to the Management of Nyando Wetland, Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya

Abstract

The United Nations Development Programme is committed to helping Kenya build capacities to manage natural resources including wetlands and biodiversity there-in, in line with national priorities and needs. This is done through the provision of sound policy advice and development and implementation of programmes that demonstrate sound wetlands management practices. UNDP has continuously helped the country to secure wetlands ecosystem services that are vital to human welfare and their development efforts. Kenya’s wetlands occupy about 3% to 4% of the total landmass, which is approximately 14,000Km2 of the land surface and fluctuates up to 6% in the rainy seasons. Throughout the tropics, these wetlands provide important goods and services to local people. They are considered to be important ecosystems, which contribute considerably to the national economy and rural livelihoods. Wetlands offer provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services. There is increasing evidence that the economic returns from natural or sustainably used wetland habitats exceed those that are degraded or converted to other uses. From the above, it is evident that sustainable management of wetlands is critically essential in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Destruction and loss of wetlands threatens to increase poverty and to undermine development because the destruction results in loss of livelihood-generating natural resources. The objective of UNDP’s wetlands work is maintaining and enhancing the beneficial services provided by wetlands in order to secure livelihoods, food, water, health and security; to reduce vulnerability to Climate Change, sequester carbon and avoid greenhouse gas emissions from land use change.