Imperatives for pastoral livelihood sustainability in the Mara ecosystem, Kenya

Abstract

The seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form a firm foundation for livelihoods and ecologi-cal sustainability in biodiversity conservation. Of the 17 SDGs, five of them focus on promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12), promotion of actions at all levels to deal with climate change (SDG 13), protecting and restoring all terrestrial ecosystems to end biodiversity loss (SDG 15), achieving peaceful and inclusive societies, the rule of law, effective and capable institutions (SDG 16) and strengthening and enhancing the means of implementation and global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17) form the bond within which other SDGs coalesce with the goal of attaining sustainability of planetary ecosystems. The Kenyan and Tanzanian constitutions also are aligned to the achievement of livelihood sustainability. The fragmentation of the Mau-Mara ecosystem and consequent loss of wildlife habitat, the occurrence of droughts due to fluctuating rainfall patterns, loss of woody vegetation, commercial agricultural land use, population growth, increase in human settlement, and associated poaching are some of the factors responsible for shrinking wildlife resources in the Mara. Climate change poses a serious challenge for the Mara due to its adverse effects on temperature and rainfall patterns. Several recommendations have been suggested in this paper regarding different ways of addressing these human-wildlife conflicts. They include growing wildlife as a cash crop with a bonus to the local community and collaboration with the private sector to enhance the free movement of livestock while also freeing space within wildlife corridors, among others. This paper attempts to examine how the Maasai pastoral livelihoods are changing and the strategies adopted to cope with climate change and competing land uses in the Mara ecosystem. Suggestions are also made on some practical solutions that could contribute to sustainable pastoral livelihood systems in the area if implemented. This paper relies on literature search and review of various research works carried out in the Mara-Serengeti to highlight key issues involving livelihoods’ sustainability in the Mara ecosystem. The research revealed the threat posed by climate change and underlined the need for adaptation ensure livelihood sustainability.