Advocacy for Human and Wildlife Co-existence
Pamoja Afya Initiative recognizes the increased conflict between humans and wildlife over natural resources. This program is designed to reduce human-wildlife conflicts while ensuring conservation efforts align with community development needs. We therefore focus on creating awareness, developing sustainable solutions, and fostering harmonious interactions between communities and wildlife.
This program aims at:-
- Raising awareness among local communities about wildlife conservation.
- Implementing conflict-mitigation strategies to reduce human-wildlife confrontations.
- Engaging communities in conservation efforts to foster a sense of ownership.
- Lobbying for policies that support sustainable wildlife conservation.
- Supporting alternative livelihoods to reduce dependency on resources that drive wildlife conflict.
Advocacy for Human and Wildlife Co-existence
Key Interventions
Community Engagement and Education
This program involves enlightening local communities living near wildlife habitats about the importance of wildlife conservation. The program emphasizes the ecological importance of wildlife to the community and the long-term benefits of co-existence. The program therefore organizes community meetings, workshops, and school outreaches to disseminate wildlife conservation messages with an aim of fostering a sense of ownership and appreciation for wildlife among community members.
Promotion of alternative Livelihoods
Under this program, Pamoja Afya ( Health) Initiative supports community members to start alternative income-generating ventures that reduce reliance on wildlife habitats. The program therefore mobilize community members to participate in
- Eco-tourism Initiatives: Mobilize community members to participate in wildlife tourism, benefiting from guiding, handicrafts, and hospitality.
- Beekeeping Projects: Mobilize community members to participate in Beekeeping not only as an alternative source of income but also as a natural barrier to elephants which reduce farm invasions.
- Sustainable Fishing and Agriculture: Teaching methods that do not harm the ecosystem ensures communities meet their needs without endangering wildlife.
- Handicrafts and Small Enterprises: Training community members in making wildlife-themed crafts, which can be sold to tourists hence creating economic incentives for conservation.
Strengthening compensation schemes
Pamoja Afya Initiative gives a platform to community members affected by wildlife damage to life and property to negotiate for the compensation with Wildlife Authority (UWA) and ensure that losses are mitigated fairly and promptly. To minimize the risk, PAI also advocates for creating of buffer zones between human settlements and wildlife habitats to reduce encounters which includes trenches, electric fences, or natural barriers like thorny bushes as well establishment of alert systems using community scouts or technology (e.g., motion-sensor alarms) that warns residents of approaching wildlife.