Plans to ratify the first transboundary marine Ramsar site in Kenya and Tanzania has gathered pace with environmental stakeholders led by the Wildlife Research Training Institute (WRTI) leading the process.
The stakeholders have identified the Msambweni- Vanga circuit that cuts across Kwale County on the Kenyan side and northern part of Tanzania as the ideal site for the project that will cover 716 square kilometers if ratified.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WRTI Dr Patrick Omondi joined the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Senior Assistant director for Coast region Elema Habicha in launching a stakeholder’s engagement that will also involve the county government of Kwale and residents to map out additional land for the project.
Dr Omondi however assured residents that the Ramsar site will not interfere with their daily social economic activities and that it will play a long way in attracting tourism investment.
“For you to list a Ramsar site you have to coordinate particular data, designate the site, do the mapping, know what is there, why is it important to be a Ramsar site, bring the stakeholders together and then define how that Ramsar site will be managed for prosperity,” he said.
He thanked those who participated in identifying Msambweni- Vanga proposed Ramsar site and assured them of his agency’s commitment to ensure it was ratified and listed.
“Msambweni- Vanga Ramsar site is a sea- land landscape and it is an open landscape that is the first trans bordering Ramsar site since it crosses over to Tanzania. The messaging that should go to the communities is that the Ramsar site is that it will extend to the community areas and that they will continue to do what they do for their livelihood and no one will stop them from carrying on with their livelihoods,” he said, adding that profiling the area will market Kwale county to the world.
Habicha who represented the Forestry Principal Secretary (PS) Gitonga Mugambi urged stakeholders to craft a funding model that will ensure continued conservation and research efforts and benefits to the local communities.
She said that, “The designation of this site will not only elevate its international profile, but also unlock opportunities for sustainable financing, eco-tourism, climate resilience and wildlife protection. We endorse the Ramsar site dossier for formal submission demonstrating our readiness and unity of purpose.”
“There is a need to establish a sustainable funding mechanism to implement Ramsar requirements and ensure equitable benefit sharing for local communities and I urge all of us gathered here, government institutions, research institutions, donors and the private sector to work together in a coordinated and inclusive manner,” she said.
This comes at a time when Msambweni residents have rejected plans to have Diani -Marine conservation area as they vow to begin degazettement of the area.
