Rain in the Mau Forest
Expedition 2012: The Mau Forest,
Headwaters of the Mara River Basin
Team Leader: NWNL Director Alison M. Jones
Assisted by: Jacob Mwanduka of FOMAWA; Andrew Nightingale, consultant; Paul Njenga, driver
THE MARA RIVER BASIN: One million Kenyans and Tanzanians, as well as 2 million wildebeest and zebra, depend on the Mara River; but in 2009 it was only ankle-deep for the first time in memory. In 2009 NWNL conducted its “Length of the Mara River Expedition” exploring impacts of water extraction for agriculture, pollution from effluent and mining, and increases in extreme droughts and floods. The expedition’s main focus however was The Mau Forest – Kenya’s largest watershed (almost a million acres, or 400,000 hectares) and headwaters for the Mara and 10 other major rivers. In the last decade, 25% of the forest has been lost, due to illegal logging and increasing settlement. This has decreased rainfall and water retention, lowering rivers and leaving up to 10 million people and scores of wild animals with less water. Kenya and UNEP initiated a Mau Forest Restoration Task Force in Sept. 2008. 6,500 families have been evicted, leaving 23,5000 more to go.
Aerial view of illegal settlement in forest
EXPEDITION METHODOLOGY: This expedition, using NWNL scientific research, will add still and video documentation to our documentation and 10-minute video from 2009. We will focus on recent reforestation efforts and resettlement of forest residents. NWNL will interview stakeholders and stewards involved in planting trees, representatives of the indigenous Ogiek communities and conservationists advocating fencing of this critical water tower. Following the expedition, resulting materials will be publicized, shared with other watershed stewards and used as educational tools. Expedition results will be shared with other NWNL watersheds as a reference for global solutions.
EXPEDITION GOALS: NWNL will seek clarification on the following current and future challenges:
• Local and national support for the government’s mandate to the Mau Forest Restoration Secretariat
• Potential political and/or ethnic conflict over the eviction and compensation process
• Alternative, sustainable livelihoods for evictees such as bamboo forestry and honey production
• The possible need to fence the Mau Forest following resettlement of all its residents to prevent any future human destruction of this critical water tower
Global Info
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EXPEDITION ENDORSEMENTS: NWNL thanks those who endorsed this expedition; generous supporters who donated funds and in-kind contributors, particularly James Robertson of Ker & Downey Safaris and Andrew Nightingale of Kembu Cottages. WingsWorld Quest has been fiscal sponsor for No Water No Life since 2007.
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