We
are delighted to report that The Waterholes Restoration
Project in Merrueshi Group Ranch has started. The objectives
for this project are to:
• Harvest
rainwater, which would otherwise be lost to evaporation
and runoff
• Reduce livestock and wildlife walking distances
• Reduce human and wildlife conflict in main boreholes
and shallow wells
• Attract and make and make it possible for wildlife
to spend more time in the local area
• Harmonize relationships between Maasai cattlemen
and wildlife
• Stop fencing of ranches and promote open migration
routes for wildlife
Waterholes
can contain water between 4-6 months after a successful
rainfall. This is a significant achievement for an area
that is accustomed to droughts.This conservation project
benefit Maasai pastoralists and hundreds of wildlife at
the same time.
Background
of Waterholes
Waterholes
have historically been the primary sources of water in savannas
of East Africa. According to Maasai pastoralists, the waterholes
were originally formed and maintained by elephants and warthogs.
Each waterhole has a name that reveal information for how
it was discovered. For example, one of the waterholes is
named Noombitiro, a popular destination for warthogs.
Another waterhole, is named Lolkanchaoi,
a hub once popular for elephants. This is where the elephants
came to play and take mud baths to protect themselves from
equitorial heat. The elephants at Lolkachaoi spent countless
hours playing, taking mad bath- hence expend the waterhole.
Many
waterholes in Merrueshi Group Ranch have silted up due to
years of excessive vegetation growth and soil erosion. Our
plan is to restore 26 waterholes and harvest rainwater for
wildlife. An adequate water supply from restored waterholes
will give wildlife the choice to roam and graze freely,
while reducing human and wildlife conflict in major boreholes
and shallow wells in the region.
Community
Responsibility for Waterholes
Each
beneficiary community has selected a committee that will
oversee the use and management of their waterhole. When
the need arise the community will restore their waterhole
without additional funding from the Maasai Association.
Click
to see a Slideshow presentation of completed waterholes.
We have six more to go.
