NAIROBI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Monday launched a new five-year strategic framework to rejuvenate wildlife conservation amid multiple threats linked to human actions and climatic stresses.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Professor Judi Wakhungu said the national wildlife conservation and management strategy covering 2018 to 2023 seeks to inject fresh impetus in protection of iconic wildlife species in the country.
"The new strategic framework to guide wildlife protection and management will be aligned with Vision 2030 and other national development aspirations. It recognizes wildlife as a major driver of the country's economic growth," Wakhungu said.
She added that key stakeholders will be involved in the implementation of a new strategy to strengthen wildlife conservation in the country amid threats like poaching, shrinking habitats, invasive species and pollution.
Kenya has borrowed international best practices to promote conservation of its wildlife heritage through advanced research, public awareness and enactment of sweeping legislation.
Wakhungu said the new strategic framework will address bottlenecks to wildlife conservation that includes inadequate personnel, disjointed policies and limited uptake of technologies and innovations.
"This strategy recognizes emerging opportunities that should be harnessed to boost wildlife conservation. They include benefits sharing and conflicts resolution," said Wakhungu.
She added the government in conjunction with private sector and development partners will explore new funding mechanisms to hasten implementation of grassroots led wildlife conservation initiatives.
Kenya's national wildlife conservation and management strategy roots for better inter-agency collaboration and robust public participation to tackle threats facing iconic species like big mammals, cats, reptiles and birds.
Principal Secretary in the state department of natural resources Margaret Mwakima said the strategy attempts to promote wildlife conservation at devolved units while exploring long-term financing to achieve that goal.
"A strong and community owned strategy will ultimately rejuvenate conservation of our wildlife heritage," said Mwakima adding that land use practices and rapid population growth have exerted pressure on key wildlife sanctuaries.
