| The Ijara Wildlife Conservation and Environmental
Trust IWICET, a registered community-based organization (CBO) based
in
Masalani,
is dedicated
to conserving
the flora and
fauna of the region
through conservation of endangered species and sustainable development
to alleviate poverty. In response to the killing of wildlife for
bushmeat and commercial purposes, and the continued destruction of
the forest, local people formed this CBO in April 2004. Working in
partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the African Wild Dog
Conservancy, and other interested non-governmental organizations,
IWICET is dedicated to safeguarding the environment from destruction
by initiating, promoting, and participating in wildlife conservation
and sustainable development projects that empower local people. |
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Boni Forest |
Pasture near
Tana River |
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One of the challenges confronting local communities, which IWICET
has taken on, is trying to find clean ("sweet") water for
villagers throughout the region, thus reducing competition between
wildlife, livestock, and people for scarce water resources. The Tana
River is the only perennial source of water in the Ijara District
and underground water sources are saline. IWICET is seeking low-tech
solutions to this critical problem. Chaired by Mr. Yassin Duale (pictured
above), the organization has its home office in the village
of Masalani. We are pleased to be working hand-in-hand with this
fledging CBO. |
| Recent IWICET projects include the following: |
- Building a shelter for 50 families in the Boni community, as
well as digging a much needed dam for storing rainwater. A camp
using local Somali and
Boni cultural houses and intended for eco-tourist use is also
nearing completion as part of an income-generating operation, and
includes a hall for seminars with the
goal of hosting
seminars from
Ijara,
Lamu, and
Garissa Districts.
- Buying 10 donkey carts for the Bodhei/Dalolo community.
- Digging a dam for Bodhei funded by Constituency Development
Funds.
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| The shared vision of the AWDConservancy
and the IWICET is to empower local communities, conserve endangered
species and the environment, and improve living conditions. |
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