SERA CONSERVANCY TRUST
| Conservancy Facts |
| Location |
Trust land of the communities of Serolevi and Losesia under Wamba Division, Samburu East District |
| Postal address |
c/o Northern Rangelands Trust, Private Bag, Isiolo |
| Ethnicity |
Samburu |
| Population |
8,000 people |
| Land ownership |
Trust land, but with Losesia community under the process of registration for group ranch status |
| Core conservation area |
33,325 ha |
| Main livelihood |
Livestock-keeping and Tourism |
| Key wildlife species |
Elephant, wild dog, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, buffalo, giraffe and Grevy’s zebra |
| Year of registration |
2001 |
| Staff employed from the community |
36 |
| Annual Operating Budget |
$110,000 |
Background
Set in a larger landscape of approximately 300,000 hectares linking the community conservancies of Melako to the north and Biliqo-Bulesa to the east, Sera is seen as a critical “anchor” conservancy in northern Kenya. Located in the Wamba Division of Samburu East District, pastoralist people have traditionally used the area as a seasonal watering point during droughts when there is still good grazing and water available in Sera. Perennial natural springs at Kisima Hamsini or ‘50 wells’ are a remarkable geographical feature and support both resident and migratory populations of wildlife.
Samburu communities formed the Sera Conservancy Trust in 2001 with the long-term aim of linking three historically rival ethnic groups, the Samburu, Borana and Rendille, with a common objective of conservation, development and sustainable use of natural resources within the Sera area. Specific objectives include: establishing increased security for people and wildlife within the conservation area, developing environmentally sustainable enterprises, strengthening the capacity of the community to manage the Trust and conservation area and establishing the necessary infrastructure for the development and management of the conservation area
Endangered Species Conservation
Permanent water sources within the Trust make Sera a critical area for wildlife especially during the dry seasons. There are abundant populations of wildlife within and surrounding the conservation area at Sera Conservancy Trust including wild dog, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, buffalo, lion and cheetah. There are important populations of the endangered Grevy’s zebra as well as seasonal herds of elephant that move through the area. In 2008, some 23 reticulated giraffe were successfully translocated to the Conservancy. Sera community scouts have been critical in providing security for all these species, particularly through the intensive daily anti-poaching patrols and wildlife monitoring.
A potential challenge is the possibility that increased security within the conservancy will lead to increasing numbers of pastoralists coming to live in the area. This is turn may lead to increasing grazing pressure due to larger numbers of livestock within the conservancy and a rise in human-wildlife and/or livestock-wildlife conflicts. These issues have important consequences for species conservation efforts within the conservancy and measures have already been taken to mitigate future problems. Vegetation surveys measuring the impact of livestock on grassland conditions have been implemented, a community-led grasslands management plan is to be drafted and endorsed, and a joint security programme between the Sera Conservancy Trust, Rendille and Borana communities will be established.
Business Development
The BBC built a guesthouse near the Sera headquarters in Kauro that is now entirely run by the conservancy. The guesthouse is built with materials found in the surrounding area and is located on the banks of a seasonal river. The BBC has also funded the digging of a waterhole that provides a water source throughout the year so visitors to the guesthouse have a front row seat for viewing wildlife at the waterhole.
In the near future, the Trust is seeking to build one permanent tourist lodge within the conservation area and four satellite camps to encourage walking safaris. Vehicles will be prohibited and tourists would fly into the lodge and walk to the satellite camps on foot with camels carrying luggage and supplies. Increasing numbers of wildlife in the area along with the cultural and archaeological sites of Sera will make it a prime and unique wilderness safari destination in northern Kenya.
Women’s groups in Sera are involved in the production and sale of handicrafts through NRT Trading. In 2008, thirteen women’s groups in Sera attended formal business training sessions facilitated by NRT Trading on topics ranging from product development, basic accounting, pricing structures and leadership skills. Through the support of ICEP, a micro-credit programme gave women access to micro-loans to support business development, product diversification and purchasing raw materials.
The Future of the Sera Conservancy Trust
- Continue community awareness activities on the importance and values of conservation activities, as well as on the need to integrate communities;
- Support tourism development within the conservation area, through the creation of a more permanent tourism facility, as well as the drafting of a tourism plan;
- Draft, endorse and enforce community grazing bylaws in the conservation area;
- Support the establishment of a joint security programme between the Sera Conservancy Trust, Rendille and Borana communities.
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