Nairobi, Kenya – It was a US$5,000 payday for Kenya’s Mara River Water User’s Association as Equator Prize winners were announced on 13th July 2010 in New York, USA. The prize recognizes and celebrates this outstanding community-based group for its efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation of biodiversity.
The Mara River Water User’s Association (MRWUA) promotes the protection and conservation of the Mara River catchment area. The association was one of the 25 winners from nearly 300 nominations from 66 different countries. Now the association has advanced to the second round of the competition, where they stand a chance to become one of five communities to receive a special recognition and an additional US$15,000.
"I am extremely honoured our association has attained an international award. All this would not have been possible without WWF’s efforts to mentor and guide us," said Mr. Joseph Kones, Secretary to the Mara River Water User’s Association.
In 2005, WWF facilitated the establishment of Mara River Water Users Association in Kenya. The association was formed under Water Act (2005) of Kenya that sanctions local dialogue and management of water resources. Other partners are Water Resources Management Authority, National Environmental Management Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Mara River Water User’s Association supports sustainable and efficient use of water, assists relevant authorities with water resources management and issuance of water use permits, and promotes resolution of water conflicts in the Mara River Basin.
“The 2010 Equator Award is fitting recognition of 5 years of hard work, relentless devotion and commitment by the association and WWF to the conservation of freshwater resources in the Mara River Basin,” said Ms. Doris Ombara, Project Manager for WWF’s Mara River Basin Initiative.
Through technical and institutional support, WWF has over the years built the association’s capacity. The association has therefore become a major contributor to the broader agenda surrounding integrated water resources management in the Mara River Basin. By supporting, leveraging and enabling such institutions, WWF is confident of good and sustainable approaches that benefit conservation, improve livelihoods of local communities, and foster peace through resolution of water conflicts.
According to a letter from the Equator Initiative, the association “joins an elite group of influential grassroots movement of local and indigenous best practice in biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction.”
This is yet another major win for community organizations that are now taking lead in environmental conservation. In May 2010, two water resource users’ associations supported by WWF and Care Kenya in Naivasha Kenya were paid over US$10,000 for their work to sustain water flows in rivers within the Lake Naivasha catchment.
Kimunya Mugo, Regional Communications Manager, WWF Eastern & Southern Africa Regional Programme Office
E: KMugo@wwfearpo.org
Notes to editors
WWF, the global conservation organization, is the one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with almost five million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
WWF Eastern & Southern Africa Regional Programme Office through the Naivasha office is co-organizing the Nature Challenge to develop innovative ways that contribute to nature conservation through business. WWF contribution is mainly related to facilitation, mobilizing their network and assessing the business plans on the environmental impact and biodiversity value by provisions of advisory, consultancy, training, research and other services. [http://www.panda.org/esarpo]
The principle donors of WWF Mara River Basin Initiative are Norad (through WWF Norway), USAID and WWF Germany.
The Equator Prize is awarded biennially to recognize outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Local and indigenous groups across the tropics are charting a path towards sustainable development. The Equator Prize is designed to shine a spotlight on these leading grassroots efforts by celebrating them on an international stage."
The Equator Initiative is a partnership that brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses, and grassroots organizations to build the capacity and raise the profile of local efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. [http://www.equatorinitiative.org/index.php]
More news on Lake Naivasha Water Users Associations’ wins can be found at:
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sciencetech/InsidePage.php?id=2000010284&cid=456&story=Project%20ropes%20in%20farmers%20to%20conserve%20Lake%20Naivasha
http://www.klct.or.ke/our_updates.php?updid=73
http://presa.worldagroforestry.org/blog/2010/06/21/connecting-highland-communities-to-lake-naivasha-water-users/
