By Mary Mwendwa.
Residents of Njabini ,Kinangop plateau in Nyandarua County , Kenya are helping protect and conserve habitat of a unique endangered bird species, Sharpe’s Longclaw through Cottage Industry.
Through Friends of Kinangop Plateau (FOKP) Community Based Organisation which was formed to promote conservation activities in Kinangop, members decided to start a wool spinning project that would help see conservation of the rare bird species promoted.
Approximately 60 Km North of Nairobi close to Abardare mountains, one of the water towers in Kenya,Njabini wool crafters project has a wool spinning workshop that encourages farmers rear sheep and conserve natural grass land instead of cultivating land for crops.
At the wool spinning workshop a bee hive of activities are going on. Ambience of wool spinning machines dominate the air as men and women are busy sorting wool and inserting in the machines where threats are formed .On the walls, beautiful floor mats, scarves and table mats that have been beautifully woven from original wool from sheep are displayed.
James Maina a farmer who rears sheep testifies about his success as a farmer.”I own twenty sheep in my farm and since the wool spinning project started I have been selling my wool to them. Sheep rearing has made me not to cultivate all my farm, I have left a big part of my land for the grasslands and it also serves as a habitat for the birds too. Iam happy that iam promoting conservation same time earning good income. My family is happy because I can fully provide for them.”
Margaret Bakari, Member and treasurer , Njabini Wool Crafters Co-operative Society says the wool spinning project has helped improve on the economic status and at the same time helped in conservation. “Now conservation makes sense to us because we can see the benefits directly to us. Before it was a bit difficult for us to believe in conservation. Now we keep sheep and at the same time conserve the grasslands which are important for birds here. We sell our products to tourists who visit this region . Scarfs range from ksh 500 -1000, table and door mats from ksh 150 -200 per square foot. Everyone here wants to be a member of this group because they see the benefits we are gaining. We have even formed a fifteen member co-operative society where we save ksh 500 every month .”
Ruth Muringe, member, FOKP says that there was a need to form a group that would promote conservation in the region because people were no longer embracing conservation, there was over cultivation of land and also climatic changing patterns were threatening the entire ecosystem.”The FOKP was originally formed by youth whose main work was to help in research of biodiversity. Many of the youth helped a lot in bird research and especially the sherpes LongClaw among other birds in this plateau.”
According to Samuel Bakari, member , Njabini Wool Crafters; ”We pay farmers a fair price of ksh 150 per One kilogram of wool from sheep. This wool is transformed into fiber where natural hand – made quality goods are sold to support our other conservation activities. The workshop which was supported by David Fox and other partners has been instrumental in training and providing employment opportunities for the community here in Kinangop.
Joseph Okwaro, Livestock Production Sub-County Officer, says sometime back there was no demand for wool, therefore people did not see the need to rear sheep.”We are happy as Nyandarua County that we can now see the fruits of value chain in sheep rearing. The county government now has 13 value chains in livestock and agriculture. We introduce technology and new breeds to our farmers to add value to their products.We donated Corriedale ram sheep breeds to avoid in breeding which results in weak breeds. These sheep provide quality wool which is processed here at the Njabini Wool Crafters.”
Bird watching and wildlife tourism is an increasingly important source of economic growth. Kinangop plateau hosts over 280 species of birds and therefore recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) which attracts tourists who have a passion for bird watching .
Sharpe’s LongClaw locally refered to as (Gathonjo ka weeru –ini) is a beautiful , pipit –like bird found only in highland grasslands in Central and Western Kenya.
The Kinangop grasslands is a strong hold of the Sharpe’s Longclaw which requires grass tussocks for feeding , roosting and nesting. This particular bird has been severely affected by habitat destruction. It’s population has been declining over the years.Kinangop being a highly agriculture region because of the high altitude has most of its land converted from original grassland into farms.
Dr.Kariuki Ndang’ang’a , Team Leader , Species and Information, BirdLife International in Kenya , says population decreases of grassland birds due to conversion and fragmentation of their habitat are a wide spread problem.
”Birds have been known to provide insect rodent and parasite control, plant pollination, seed dispersal which result in tangible benefits to the people.Similarly vultures help in cleaning the environment. Therefore it is important for people to understand the benefits of birds and protect their habitats. Kinangop Plateau is a world’s strong hold for Sherpe’s Longclaw ,a bird species that is endangered. Through Njabini wool Crafters who encourage farmers to keep sheep to supply them with wool has been one of the solutions to restoring the grasslands.”
Other birds that are of attraction in Kinangop plateau are jackson’s Widow bird,Rufous Sparrow , Ring –necked Dove and Pin-tailed Whydah among others.
Work well done comrades
Comments are closed.