Game park downgrade opposed

2005-10-12 12:58

Nairobi - Outraged conservationists are vehemently protesting a Kenyan decision to downgrade a famed national park in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro that is home to one of Africa's most important elephant populations.

A coalition of wildlife groups has accused President Mwai Kibaki's administration of illegally changing the status of Amboseli National Park to a "reserve" allegedly for political gain and vowed to fight the move.

The step, which turns over the administration of Amboseli from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to the local county council and the Maasai tribal community, endangers animals in the pristine sanctuary and huge tourism revenue, they say.

It will allow the Maasai to graze their cattle in the area and gives control of Amboseli's substantial gate receipts - amounting to $3.5m last year - to county officials.

Bracing for a legal battle

The KWS says it was not consulted and groups such as the British-based Born Free Foundation and East African Wild Life Society are girding for a legal battle to halt it if the decision is not rescinded.

"I am fearful that Amboseli National Park, which is so important to Kenya and to Kenya's wildlife, is the victim of an arbitrary and illegal decision which puts the wildlife of this world-famous area ... at risk," said Will Travers of the Born Free Foundation.

The East African Wild Life Society expressed grave concern about a possible "domino effect" on other national parks in Kenya that the government's "hasty, clandestine, ill-conceived and illegal action may trigger".

Downgrading 'detrimental'

KWS spokesperson Connie Maina said on Wednesday the downgrading of Amboseli "was a very unfortunate decision".

"It may lead to the detriment of the reserve because the local council does not have the capacity to manage it," she said.

The controversy stems from a September 29 decree that turned over the 3 260-square kilometre park on the Kenyan-Tanzanian border at the foot of Africa's highest peak to the Olkejuado County Council.

Under Kenya's current constitution such changes can be made only after publication of a notice of intent, a lengthy review process and parliamentary approval.

Critics have suggested the surprise decision is a ploy by Kibaki to win support from the Maasai for a new constitution that will be put to a bitterly contested referendum in November.

"There seems to be political strings attached to banana and orange politics," said one KWS official on condition of anonymity, referring to the ballot symbols for "yes" and "no" that voters will choose from in the plebiscite.

- AFP