Opportunities for community based biodiversity conservation and management in Kenya.

This awareness manual has been developed to ensure that the local communities understand their role in the new Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA), 2013 (The Act). This law demonstrates ways in which the local communities can actively participate in conserving wildlife. Section 40 of the WCMA, 2013 provides for establishment and registration of Community Wildlife Associations (CWAs) by communities. Landowners, groups of landowners and existing representative organizations may establish a community wildlife association and register under the appropriate law or in the case of an individual owner register as a recognized wildlife manager with the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee (CWCCC). The Wildlife Act is rather brief and general in its description of what needs to be done to register a CWA hence the need to create awareness among relevant stakeholders on the provisions of the Act to enhance community participation in wildlife conservation and management through CWAs, community conservancies and or any other avenue provided for in the Act. The manual further guides on how to address human-wildlife conflicts, wildlife conflict compensation claims, wildlife benefits access and sharing; and wildlife offences and penalties as provided for in the Act. This publication aims to: 1. Sensitize communities especially in BMP demonstration sites. 2. Raise the awareness of community leaders, NGOs, government agencies and local policy makers on community involvement in implementation of the Act.

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