Consulting Services for the preparation of a feasibility study for Lake Nakuru Biodiversity Conservation Project (LNBCP)

Detailed description of project:

Lake Nakuru National Park (LNNP) is an ecologically and economically important Ramsar wetland ecosystem in Kenya. As a result of human activity, the biodiversity of LNNP and its surroundings is under serious threat. This is due to elevated levels of pollutants (excreta, solid wastes, and industrial liquid and solid waste) from 500,000 inhabitants who are likely to increase to 1,000,000 inhabitants within the next 20 years. Because the lake has no outflow, pollutants accumulate in sediments and algae, and along the food chain in waterfowl and other wild life species, which may have chronic deleterious effects on the lake’s biodiversity.

Purpose of the study is to

  • get a better understanding about the complexity of the problems threatening the biodiversity of LNNP;
  • get better information of the magnitude of threats;
  • resolve complexity of the problems so that they can be managed;
  • develop a concept and suitable options to keep and improve the biodiversity of LNNP and to keep the lake and the town clean and in an environmentally good situation;
  • collect the required information in order to decide on suitable options; and
  • design investment packages and accompanying measures suitable for the improvement of the situation.

The objective of Lake Nakuru Biodiversity Conservation Project is the sustainable protection of the existing biodiversity of the lake’s flora and fauna. This includes all suitable measures to keep the environment of Nakuru and LNNP protected and clean, and all measures suitable to reduce over population and improve the management of wildlife species in LNNP.

Type of services provided:

  • Establish a lake water balance model and undertake a hydrological assessment of the catchment area;
  • Review the identified threats to the biodiversity to the LNNP;
  • Evaluate the stocking rates for the key wildlife species in the LNNP and recommend the appropriate management measures;
  • Examine and assess the status and viability of existing natural resource user groups around LNNP and assess the existing and/or suggest the required legal and institutional arrangements between these user groups and other stakeholders;
  • Examine, draft and assess possible benefit sharing mechanisms between the park and natural resources groups, land owners and local communities;
  • Assess potentials for and impacts (biodiversity, social and economic) of wildlife dispersal areas and wildlife corridors and identify required legal and institutional conditions;
  • Assess the existing LNNP management plan and make detailed suggestions to update and improve the plan;
  • Review current monitoring tools used in LNNP and suggest improvements;
  • Identify needs to rehabilitate existing park infrastructure or to build new park infrastructure;
  • Inspect and assess park equipment and specify needs;
  • Suggest a suitable method for formulation of an environmental management plan for the Lake Nakuru catchment area;
  • Define requirements and develop recommendations for an environmental monitoring system for the catchment area.
Rift Valley Water Services Board, Nakuru
BMZ through KfW
01/2017 - 03/2018
Contract value: 1,340,915 €