Entonet-Lenkisim Ward, Kenya: Stakeholders from diverse backgrounds are coming together to combat environmental degradation and restore the once-lush landscape of Entonet-Lenkisim Ward.
Lekuton, a long-time resident, reminisces about the area’s pristine condition when he arrived in the area in 1974.
“The area was full of trees, water was flowing, it was green and beautiful, the air was fresh,” Lekuton recalls.
However, rapid deforestation and land conversion for agriculture, particularly after the influx of more people in the early 1990s, have drastically altered the landscape.
Situated on the border between Kenya and Tanzania, Entonet-Lenkisim Ward serves as a crucial watershed for the Kimana River, yet rampant deforestation has led to environmental deterioration over time.
In response, the Alliance for Restoration of Forest Ecosystems in Africa (AREECA), alongside various partners including WWF-Kenya and local community groups, is spearheading the Large-scale Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) project.
Through collaborative efforts and community engagement, the initiative aims to revive Entonet-Lenkisim Ward’s degraded environment, fostering biodiversity, climate resilience, and better livelihoods.
Dr John Kioko, WWF-Kenya’s Amboseli-Chyulu sub-landscape coordinator, highlights the importance of collective action and community involvement in restoring this vital ecosystem.
“This approach brings hope for the restoration of Entonet-Lenkisim Ward’s degraded environment,” says Dr. Kioko.
“By harnessing the collective efforts of various stakeholders and engaging the local community, we can work towards a sustainable future for this vital ecosystem.”
With the local community’s commitment and stakeholder support, Entonet-Lenkisim Ward is poised to reclaim its status as a thriving natural sanctuary, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
The AREECA project — Large-scale Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) in Africa: Tree-rich landscapes to foster biodiversity, climate change resilience and better livelihoods Project, under the the International Climate Initiative, is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).
By Faith Tanui — Communications Officer, WWF-Kenya
