PASTORALISM AND ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION IN KARAMOJA Good practices (For Rangeland Management) Presented to: Karamoja Cultural Association “Land, Minerals and Water” Dialogue with Karamoja Elders 8th July 2016 By: Loupa Pius Karamoja Conservation Project (KCP) Field Coordinator E4P-AFRICA http://greatheartafrica.org/ daahman89@gmail.com 0784616870

E4P-AFRICA -Brief 1. E4P-AFRICA (Environment, Education, Economic and Energy- Africa) is an NGO working toward sustainable natural resources management. 2. E4P-AFRICA is formed for the purposes of raising funds and implementing charitable projects in Uganda with the goals of: a) Reducing poverty and increasing educational opportunities in Uganda. b) Augmenting the conservation of Uganda's wilderness and wildlife. c) Promoting ecotourism to bolster local employment. d) Linking poverty reduction strategies with natural resources.

The Karamojong. E4P-AFRICA recognizes Karamoja as a pastoralist society community, blessed with a wide array of traditional practices based on a unique interaction with the environment. Pastoralists/Karamojongs realistic experiment is an attempt to improve the quality of life based on mobile development for mobile pastoralists--i.e. mobile schools, mobile vet services (CHAWS), and mobile and permanent kraals.

Eco-conservation in Karamoja The Karamoja Wildlife Ecosystem Conservation Area runs from Kidepo to Matheniko and Bokora wildlife reserves, with Kidepo Valley Nationl Park holding the largest portion of the conservancy. The wildlife reserves, corridors and forest reserves cover some of the most important rangelands of Karamoja stretching from Kidepo to Matheniko, Bokora through Karenga and Lolelia, Kamion, Abim and Lopei. Apoka Safari lodge view-Kidepo with beautiful land scape

Untapped initiatives around the conservation ranges of Karamoja Community-based tourism Grazing (pasture and water) Indigenous hunting Community-led conservancies (integrating co-existence between pastoralism and wildlife) minerals land for agriculture farmers Zebra herd grazing in Kidepo Valley National Park

Challenges faced by pastoral communities adjacent to Kidepo Restricted grazing in the game park Tsetse flies infestation Land encroachment by the park (expansion of the park) Human-wildlife conflict. Revenue sharing poorly distributed The need for survival and conservation triggers human-wildlife conflicts in protected areas; if agents of conservation agents do not integrate community ideas into development plans, their will always be a disconnect between wildlife and people.

Benefits from each other Karamoja hopes that Kidepo: Kidepo hopes that Karamoja: Will cater to tourists (visitors/ marketing) Will share the Karamojong Culture Traditional Gallery Will respect the land Will use water and land sustainably Shares tourism revenue Allows sustainable access to natural resources Provides infrastructure support--i.e. schools, roads and peaceful co-existence

Challenges faced by Karamoja herders Climate change and increasing restrictions on mobility Loss of livestock due; Armed neighbours, livestock pest and diseases and drought. Land encroachment Change of lifestyle: influence of modernity Forceful sedintarisation of pastoralists by actors Distinctive needs rarely addressed i.e. schools, medical care, Vet services. Photo taken from Sokodu, Kaabong

RANGELAND MANAGEMENT Best Practices

Best practices Where the grass cover was maintained above 60% and grass height 5cm at the end of the grazing period Pastoralists should keep grass cover above 60% in the entire rangeland. Grass should not be grazed below 5cm and allow for period of recovery and seed setting Reduce grazing pressure on riparian zones and wetlands Bunch herding to control entry and exit. Livestock should not graze permanently. Pastoralists should create buffer zones. Grass cover on land with continuous grazing and limited ground cover is unable to capture rainfall effectively

Bunch grazing season Application of bunch (herding) grazing works for sustainable utilization of range grassland Controlled grazing in wet areas stores more water, leads to less erosion and provides water for livestock longer in dry Pastoral grazing land in Timu gazzeted as conservation under NFA

Holistic management approach Holistic Planned Grazing (Holistic Management) Is a grazing management system that uses livestock to restore and manage grasslands sustainably as well as to improve the quality of habitats and water

Knowledge and Best practices for pastoralists Maintain traditional knowledge on weather and climate Diversification of Animals (Cows, goats, sheep camel e.t.c) Division of Livestock Utilization of pasture intensively during a short period then leave them to recover

CONCLUSION Recognition of traditional Knowledge can help improve the participation of indigenous communities in reducing environmental degradation Designing and planning pastoral friendly development services in target of sustainability (Recognizing Pastoralists mobility as an achievement strategy) i.e. considering Mobile development strategies for mobile pastoralists. SUMMARISED HERE: Mobile schools Mobile Vets Mobile Kraals and permanent water sources services

ALAKARA NOOI Loupa Pius E4P-AFRICA/ GLORY-UGANDA +256784616870 daahman89@gmail.com ­­­­http://inspire.nayd.org/2016/06/june-2016-ngo-of-month.html; and http://greatheartafrica.org/