WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AWARENESS WITHIN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Wildlife conservation awareness is not well known within local communities in Kenya despite the country having most of its wildlife living within the community.

Most of the local communities see wildlife as a source of income (having opportunities to sell their merchandise to the tourists) and tourists attraction, very few really have the connection with the wildlife.

Human-wildlife conflict has been a problem in the country and this maybe one of the reasons why those affected by it rarely treasure the wildlife. They see wildlife as a threat to their farms, lives and space. They have faced a lot of negative outcomes as a result of human-wildlife conflicts and thus have negative perception towards wildlife.

Most of the communities living within conservation areas invests in farms which are frequently attacked by the wildlife from time to time. This creates a strive between the farmers and Kenya Wildlife Services. In Kenya , for one to be compensated on such damages, it involves long tiring processes that mostly end up unfruitful. And as a result it has led to numerous demonstrations whereby the farmers threaten to take actions themselves and this means killing wildlife that trace passes their farms. This is a clear indication of created bridge between the local and the wildlife conservation organizations.

Conservation will only be successful once the communities understands and embrace the value of the wildlife. Once they understand that tourist attraction is not the only reason for conserving the wildlife. This will also help them refrain from land encroachment and poaching.

Majority of poaching in African countries are executed by the locals after being offered good tips by the big fish in the international  market for illegal wildlife trafficking markets . So the local is made to choose between earning heavy bribery to poach or earn ” nothing”  to protect wildlife.

We all agree that this is a tricky situation to a group of people who are inadequately informed on the importance of wildlife conservation and living in total poverty. How do you change their perception towards wildlife and make them embrace wildlife conservation positively? Answer to this question will be a strong background and foundation to the future of the wildlife species.

Most of the demonstrations held in defense for  wildlife conservation issues is mostly fueled by the NGOs, students and the international bodies, which is an excellent , but true success will be fully attained once the local communities join the force. They are the backbone of wildlife conservation and have a strong pivot to it. They live along side the wildlife and interact frequently with them.

Local communities have been living with the wildlife for centuries and their  co-existence has been positive, the problem is the external parties that are corrupting their minds and this is the greatest threat to wildlife survival.  Its important we start by salvaging the local community support as we continue fighting for wildlife conservation and being their voice.

Africa has very unique wildlife but all these are dependent on the impact that will be created  from their conservation and protection. Every journey starts with a step and together we can do a lot. Lets promote conservation awareness across the local communities, share the tourism benefits with the local and most importantly change their perception towards wildlife.

# Conservationist #Bethevoiceofthevoiceless

Having A Good time in a temporal Island

Having A Good time in a temporal Island, would you go for it? I wouldn’t even think twice about it. Its a big yes for me. And I have just a nice place that I will plan on a day to go and enjoy the ocean there.

Islands are naturally full of life and unique environment. I think water separates them from all the bad things until human developments happen.

Island that stays alive for four hours in a given season

During my visit to the ocean, I was shown a portion of the ocean that dries up sometimes. Allowing people to enjoy some calmness of the ocean within its vicinity. The place can remain dry for almost four hours, meaning, you can even hold a short party there.

When you are enjoying a boat ride, the breeze kisses your face in amazing ways. As the waves soothe your moods. The land continues to reduce in size as you sail deeper into the ocean.

Its normally feels like you are entering a different and new world. The feeling is incredible.

Read the full article here.

The Homely WCK Hostels in Mombasa

The Homely WCK Hostels in Mombasa. They are simply homes away from home. Strategically located at the best corner of Mombasa town.

During my recent visit to Mombasa, one of our friends recommended it for us. At first, I had some doubts since I wanted to have somewhere to spend my nights after all the fun during the day. A place I could rest with minimal to zero noise, comfortable beds, awesome food, and a clean environment. And WCK hostels in Mombasa offered all that and more.

WCK

Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK)

It stands for Wildlife Clubs of Kenya.

It is a charitable, nonprofit organization formed in 1968 by Kenyan students. It was the first conservation education programme of its kind on the continent of Africa.

As you can already tell, they are friends to nature. And anyone friends to nature automatically qualifies to be my friend.

I have been its member since my junior years at school. But I had not yet tried their hostels.

They would provide us Komba Magazines that helped us learn more about Wildlife, Nature and how to conserve our environment.

Apart from books, being a member of this club come with a full bag of goodies.

Read the full article here.

Understanding Sustainable Tourism

Understanding Sustainable Tourism so as to promote it in our travels. Our travels should leave a positive impact on our hosts, people, wildlife and the environment. As well as offer us great experience and memories.

Sustainability

For something to be considered sustainable, it has to respect three important sectors. That is:

• Environment, both the natural and man-made environments.
• Economic, the generated revenue.
• Culture, people and their cultures.

Sustainable Tourism

For tourism to be sustainable, then it has to offer the above benefits fully.

Sustainable tourism is whereby the tourism sector commits to cause a low impact on both the environment and local culture. In line with generating employment opportunity to the local communities.

It simply implies that, as a tourist, your visit cause a positive impact on the society, economy, and environment.

So next time while doing your travels, ensure it adheres to the above.

Understanding Sustainable Tourism

To really understand sustainable tourism, then you will need to look into its three key sectors.

Economy

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Species that feed on plants are strong and have a long lifespan

Species that feed on plants are strong and have a long lifespan. Herbivores are some of the animal species that have been observed to live many years. If they are lucky enough to evade preditor’s wrath. Those who have no predictors, live to enjoy extreme old age. Is it related to their diet?

Plant-eating organisms

These are species whose diet is solely comprised of plant parts. We can refer to them as true vegans.

They can be divided into various groups depending on which plants they consume, or how they eat.

That is, we have those that feed on fruits ( Frugivores), nector (nectarivorous), etc. And we have the browsers that obtain leaves, stems and bark from plants. While grazers eat vegetation at the ground level.

Samples of these herbivores include:

• Elephant
• Rhino
• Hippo
• Buffalo
• Giraffe
• Wildebeest

As you can already tell, these are some of the most dangerous animals that even intimidate their predators.

Now you understand why the antelopes and other small herbivores, end up being the most targeted.

Does this mean that if we were to embrace the vegan diet, we could be strong?

Read the full article here.

Don’t Step on Corals, They are alive

Don’t Step on Corals, They are alive. And you wouldn’t like anyone stepping on you either. If you are having a boat ride or any other ride into the ocean with a captain who doesn’t care much about the environment, they may use it as a “fun thing” to do when you get at the deep end.

I have ever been a victim of that, I stepped on corals thinking they were dead

Sometime last year, when I visited the ocean, I did exactly that after been wrongly informed by my guide that that place had dead corals. In the spirit of promoting sustainable tourism, I decided to promote the locals by choosing them for my boat ride services.

Despite not having school know-how knowledge, they were well-informed about the ocean. They understood the area so well to a point of making someone fall in love with the place instantly.

When we got to the deep end, they offered to dive in and bring us some marine creatures. Which included two urchins, male and female. This is the point they encouraged me to enter the ocean and enjoy the waters. And since I didn’t have sufficient safety clothing, I expressed my concern. And that’s when he told him, that they were dead corals around us. SoI just had to step on them and I will be fine.

During my recent visit, is when I realized. They were not entirely truthful. The corals were very much alive and this means, I stepped and maybe killed some in the process. I felt really bad, I hate being a problem for the environment.

But am well-informed know, and I wouldn’t like you to make the same mistake.

So here are some of the tips to ensure you respect corals;

Read the full article here.

Your Internet Usage has A carbon Footprint

Your internet usage has a carbon footprint. This means that how you live Online has an impact on how you live Offline. Seems everything we do has a carbon footprint. So we are required to calculate our carbon footprint and embrace ways to reduce it. Or keep it as low as possible.

What is the internet’s carbon footprint?

You may tend to think about how this is possible. After all, its just internet. The movies, tv shows, emails, songs, etc. How does that emit greenhouses gases?

Internet’s carbon footprint is contributed by work behind the scenes. The servers that make it possible for you to get the end product. These serves are powered by various types of energy which is mostly not clean. And they run 24/7.

After all, no one likes internet outages. Or else we will shower the internet providers customer cares with all the mean words we have in our heads.

Some of the contributors to carbon footprint in internet usage

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Is Our Company Enough For Our Pets?

Is our company enough for our pets? Especially those who have only one pet. Hence making them the unique species in the house. As much as they may enjoy our companionship, is it really enough? Or they silently wish they had contact with one of their kind?

Pets are social animals

I tend to think that animals that can be petted are social. And that’s why they are able to mix with humans.

As we know, social animals like being other animals. Either with their kind or other animals. Unlike the solitary ones that love being on their own.

With that said, does our companion alone fill their need of being with other animals. Or we are a cause of some loneliness in them.

When they need to play and you happen to be busy

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Uganda cooking with Volcanic rocks to save their Forests

Uganda cooking with Volcanic rocks to save their Forests. Isn’t that amazing? It’s great to see more countries embracing ways that are eco-friendly. Hence writing off the damage we have been causing our environment.

As much as we may need developments and innovations, we were blinded sided when it came to its effects on the environment. But not anymore. We are now conscious of our actions and choosing our moves carefully.

Forest cover has been reducing in our planet at an alarming rate. This is partly due to the need for firewood and charcoal for cooking. We have lost a huge number of indigenous trees for this need.

Not only did our cooking eliminate our trees, but it also introduced air pollution into our homes. Promoting respiratory diseases amongst ourselves.

So when we bump into such innovation, its a big win to all of us. This technology will help save the remaining forest cover, and cost by the community.

How does it work?

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Why We Need Trees on our Roadsides

Why We Need Trees on our Roadsides. Not only will they make our roads more appealing, but they will also be vital in curbing climate change. We all know that trees breathe in the carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Which we need for survival. Hence very important in our lives.

Benefits that comes with planting trees on the roadsides

• Our insects which are important for food production are vanishing due to loss of habitats. These trees will be able to offer them a home and other important resources.

• They will help reduce the cost of road maintenance. This is especially during heavy rains that cause runoff. Instead of water getting stagnated on our roads, the trees will drink it up. Promoting flood control, reduced soil erosion as well as filtering the water before it gets to the water table below.

• The locals will be able to get jobs to maintain these trees. Hence creating employment opportunities.

• Absorption of the greenhouse gases emissions from the vehicles. The emitted gases will be absorbed by these trees, hence reduced what amounts get to the ozone layer. With that, we can be able to reduce global warming.

• They will provide a clean atmosphere. By offering us oxygen, we will be able to fight air pollution by the burning of fuels in vehicles.

• A beautiful view that will promote tourism. People are attracted to beautiful things, places, etc. They will grace our roads with beauty.

• A shade that will be helpful for travelers. When you need to stop for a few minutes, or less. You will have a shade to enjoy on the roadside. Allowing both you and the vehicle to cool down. We will also not burn from the sun through the windows.

• Trees are also capable to reduce the noise pollution from the moving vehicles.

• Importantly, they can be used to act as a conservation corridor. Where the trees offer habitat between the different areas on their sides.

• With trees on our roadside, they will be no dust pollution. The soil will be firmly attached to the ground.

• What about the strong winds that we experience sometimes. The trees will act as windbreakers.

Important to consider while selecting trees for planting on the Roadsides

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Why starve Fish in Spas for Pedicure?

Why starve Fish in Spas for Pedicure? Have you gone for the so-called doctor fish pedicure? Where people starve fish so that they eat dead skin from people’s feet.

Would you eat dead skin? Why would you make another living organism eat it then? Yes, they feed on dead things when food is scarce or not available. But this does not allow us to subject them to this. On top of captivating them in tanks that are not that clean.

Denying any living organism food willingly is cruel and morally not acceptable. It is against animal rights to make them suffer.

Fish Pedicure

It a cosmetic treatment where one places their feet in a tank contains fish. Which nibble the dead skin from your feet.

Garra rufa which are also known as doctor fish is the preferred fish species for this procedure.

This cruel act has spread to almost all nations on our planet. More people seem to enjoy it. But they think of the fish eating off their dead parts of their feet skin.

What harm it has on them? Or what they go through so as to offer this forced labor?

Why do humans think that everything was made to worship them? They tend to force everything for their comfort. Instead of sharing the resources gifted to us by mother nature.

Threats subject to Garra Rufa by fish pedicure

Continue reading here.