Ndera Community Conservancy: A Symphony of Nature’s Resilience
Nestled 42 kilometers north of Garsen, cradled above the Tana Primate National Reserve, lies the enchanting Ndera Community Conservancy—a verdant tapestry that stretches along the river from Mnazini to Baomo. This 150-square-kilometer sanctuary unfolds like a majestic rectangle, its boundaries pulsating with life as it intertwines river forests, bush, and grasslands, each teeming with a kaleidoscope of flora and fauna.
Some of the traditional rules/values practiced for forest use and conservation are as follows:
- Some forest patches are protected because they contain certain plants that are of cultural or medicinal use or are considered sacred areas.
- Some trees are not allowed to be cut because the community believes they bring rain and also for their medicinal value.
- Fires are not allowed in the forest.
- Some forest areas act as hiding places during conflict and, therefore, must not be cut.
- Anyone wanting to cut certain trees for making canoes must first seek permission from elders.
- Elders are responsible for protecting and upholding rules of forest use
- Traditionally, anyone who breaks these rules are punished by elders in a public gathering
The primary forests stand as ancient sentinels, their names echoing through the air: Kimbu, Awalamunyo, Lalafitu, Nkambini, Sifa, Yutenye, and Bulichani, among others, forming a chorus of biodiversity that whispers stories of resilience and rebirth. As the conservancy envisions its current state and future aspirations, it grapples with the sobering reality that 35% of its lush greenery has vanished between 2010 and 2018, replaced by a mosaic of shrubland, agriculture, and invasive species. The southeastern regions near Mnguvweni, Mnazini, and Kinyadu have suffered the most, where the forests have succumbed to the parched embrace of time and reckless hands.
Yet, amid these challenges, the Ndera Community Conservancy remains a vibrant refuge for its remarkable inhabitants. The endangered Tana River mangabey and the elusive red colobus monkey find sanctuary here, alongside the distinctive Hirola. Majestic elephants, formidable buffalo, and graceful hippos share the land with crocodiles and the elegant reticulated giraffe. Cheetahs, leopards, lions, hyenas, warthogs, oryxes, ostriches, Grant’s gazelles, bushbucks, lesser kudus, and red duikers roam the diverse terrain, each creature a thread in the rich tapestry of wildlife that thrives within the conservancy’s embrace.
Lakes dot the landscape, each a shimmering jewel reflecting the sky: temporary lakes such as Mkombani, Yokwa, Lemu, Mlonde, and Baomo, along with the meandering oxbow lakes of Makange, Kilwa, Mchangani, Pacha, and Mkoleni. There is also a Water pan in Shan-Farot. Here, at Mnazini, the headquarters pulse with activity, serving as the heart of this conservation effort.
The stunning habitat is so tranquil that it is a great place to visit. The Tana River mangabey and red colobus monkeys’ way of life is greatly enhanced by the exotic trees. Nature’s resilience is celebrated and safeguarded. It is a living testament to the delicate balance between human endeavor and the wild spirit of the earth—a sanctuary where hope, life, and vibrancy converge against the backdrop of a changing world.
Source: NDERA COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY MANAGEMENT