Project
Short description of the research
There are seven forest blocks in Mount Kenya West Landscape. Each of these blocks has a Forest Management Plan (FMP). The FMP is a joint community and government (Kenya Forest Services) effort and is the first step of community involvement in joint forest management with the government as per the Forest Act 2005. Each forest block also has a Community Forest Association (CFA) which represents the community’s interests in forest matters. The CFS, together with the Help Self Help Centre (HSHC) would like to explore possibilities of ecotourism in some of these forest blocks. We will focus on two forest blocks: the Kabaru forest and Naro Moru forest.
The idea is to identify, document and come up with a good form of ecotourism. The FMP’s have lists of possible tourism facilities/activities. We will write a business plan on, according to us, the best form of ecotourism for each of the two forests. We will also try to link this business plan with potential investors on behalf of the CFA’s. Our business plan will be a step towards useful and environmentally friendly exploitation of the forest, with revenues for both the local community and the Kenya Forest Service.
Our work will involve:
• Visiting forest sites
• Consultation with a number of stakeholders
• Development of a business plan
• Link the business plan with potential investors
• If possible, start up an activity
Counterpart in the receiving country
Help Self Help Centre (HSHC) is a local Kenyan NGO. They are committed to enhancing the living standard of forest adjacent communities in Kenya. They support sustainable entrepreneurship amongst small-holder farmers and community groups (for example the CFA’s) by strengthening their capacity. Specific services, such as a micro-credit facility, complement their capacity building activities. They empower people so that they can meet their basic needs and claim their rights. Our counterpart is besides HSHC also the CFA, as we are trying to help them with developing their forest plans to the next level.
The end goal of the project
At the end of this project we will have a business plan for the two forest blocks. A sustainable plan that would help the local people and gives the forests a place in the ecotourism sector. We want to start with some small and concrete improvements and activities in these forests and hopefully link them with potential investors.
