Nashulai conservancy wins 2020 equator prize
Nashulai conservancy has been awarded the Equator Prize 2020 certificate of achievement by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its outstanding success in promoting local climate change and sustainable development for people, nature as well as resilient communities.
This coveted prize was awarded virtually from the UN headquarters in New York during its 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly held on Wednesday.
The director and founder of the conservancy, Nelson Ole Reiya Nemutaka expressed his joy and pride in his community’s win.
“I feel so honoured and proud for my community. For me, it is a testament that communities hold the key to conservation, and it is possible to include culture, livestock, and people to share space with wildlife.
It has elevated us into the UN system, where we will play an active role in the inspiring change of policies to favour indigenous people,” he said.
The award recognises outstanding community efforts by reducing poverty through conservation in the sustainability of biodiversity.
Each winner is awarded a cash prize of US$10,000 (Sh1 million) for their significant work innovation, nature-based solutions for biodiversity, climate change, as well as development challenges.
The conservancy brags of being the only community and wildlife conservancy in East Africa that is owned, directed and managed by the Maasai people.
“We have done several things to combat climate change, such as restore the Sekenani River by planting over 5,000 tree seedlings along the banks of the vital water body, which is key in the Mara Serengeti ecosystem.
We are also changing the cattle breed in the conservancy to maintain bigger and fewer breeds, which are not destructive to the environment,” said Nelson.
