Tana Delta Irrigation Project, Kenya: An Environmental Assessment

Rehabilitation of the Tana Delta Irrigation Project, Kenya: An Environmental Assessment.
D. That PFM/CFM be based on the twin goals of forest conservation and forest
expansion, with consideration given to development of (exotic) woodlots, with full
ownership of the process by communities.
E. On the basis of A, B and C above: initiate pilot community forest management in the
villages of Bfumbwe and Wema; given the organised and active status of their village
environmental bodies.
F. That technical assistance be made available, particularly in terms of best practice in
forest management; and awareness creation/education within the TDIP villages.
G. To ascertain the stake (if any) of other villages in the target forest patches.
3. That any forest conservation initiative be accompanied by a separate, but linked,
community development component, given the relationship between poverty and forest
decline, and based on the rationale that forest conservation twinned with positive community
development will have a higher likelihood of long-term success as compared to forest
conservation carried out in isolation. For example, it is likely that much of the
forestation/reforestation work will be carried out in periods where villages are free from cropgrowing
activities; however, these periods are also stress periods in terms of food supply.
Appropriate investment into enhancing food production will ideally decrease food shortage,
enabling people to be able to work effectively during stress times. Other examples are
potential synergies resulting from a twin forest-livelihoods approach include the ability of
households to afford fuel-efficient stoves (that typically burn one-third of normal wood supply),
through improved crop production.
4. That interventions emanating from rehabilitation of the TDIP - whether concerning
forest management and/or community livelihoods - be managed and implemented
through effective, trusted, neutral, and mutually agreed third parties, for example, the
East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS) in the case of forest conservation; and World Vision or
Action Aid, in the case of community livelihoods – rather than through TARDA, given the level
of distrust between villages and TARDA.
5. That TARDA engage the TDIP communities as partners in the rehabilitation of the
project - through information sharing, consultation and collaboration - as a necessary
process for designing and implementing win-win solutions. It is further recommended
that this report be shared with the TDIP communities, as a first step towards engaging them
as bonafide stakeholders in the process.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks is due to Dr. Abe of JBIC for input into the scope of work; to Richard Mwendandu of
TARDA for his continued support throughout; to CEPF for interest and funding, and especially
John Watkin of CEPF for bringing the study to fruition; and particularly to Quentin Luke for his
support, patience and oversight of the rapid assessment study. In the field Shadrack
Kibindyo of TARDA provided excellent assistance; whilst special thanks go to the village
enumerators and focus groups (whose names are contained in Annex 2), who willingly
provided a rich insight into their livelihoods, challenges and hopes. Lastly, thanks goes to
Angela Moraa for patience and support.
REFERENCES
Carney D, 2001, ‘Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches: Progress and Possibilities for
Change’, DFID (Department for International Development), UK.
TARDA (Tana and Athi River Development Authority) (1983) ‘Environmental Interface’,
Chapter 14 Tana River Irrigation Project (Extension) Feasibility Study Vol. 11, August.
TARDA (Tana and Athi River Development Authority) (Year unknown) ‘Environmental Study’,
Annex 5 Tana Delta Irrigation Project Definitive Development Plan Vol. IV.
TDEAP (Tana Delta Environmental Awareness Programme) (1999) ‘Analysis of the Situation
on the Ground report 12-27 th September 1999 – Draft’, October.
Rietbergen-McCracken J. and D. Narayan (1998) ‘Participation and Social Assessment:
tools and techniques’, World Bank, Washington DC.
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