LVBC boss calls for urgent action to protect Mara River, warns against annual conservation pledges
Bwire said the event had brought together stakeholders with different experiences but a shared responsibility to protect the river and the wider ecosystem.
BOMET, Kenya - The Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) Executive Secretary, Dr. Masinde Bwire, has called for immediate and ongoing action to safeguard the Mara River, urging Kenya and Tanzania to shift beyond mere conservation pledges and implement tangible measures. At the 15th Mara Day celebrations in Bomet County, Bwire emphasized that Kenya and Tanzania must convert annual commitments into practical actions to secure the future of the transboundary Mara ecosystem.
The theme for this year's event was "Mara River, Diverse Lives: Keep It Thriving," underscoring the river's significance in supporting biodiversity, tourism, agriculture, livestock, and communities in both countries.
Bwire highlighted that the Mara River, originating in Kenya's Mau Forest Complex and flowing through the Maasai Mara into Tanzania, sustains the wider Serengeti ecosystem and the annual wildebeest migration. It also serves as a vital water source for households, livestock, and farming communities along its course. The LVBC executive urged stakeholders to prioritize conservation, climate resilience, scientific research, community livelihoods, and capacity building.
He stressed that investments must yield measurable and sustainable results, moving away from short-term interventions. Bwire warned that conservation efforts must focus on protecting the river's catchment and restoring degraded ecosystems, combating pollution and unsustainable land-use practices, and promoting climate-smart approaches while empowering communities living within the basin.
He stressed the importance of placing communities at the forefront of conservation efforts, particularly by supporting livelihoods that coexist with environmental protection. Bwire advocated for enhanced cooperation between Kenya and Tanzania in managing the shared river basin, noting that upstream actions can directly impact downstream communities.
He emphasized that the commitments made during Mara Day must be translated into actions long after the celebrations, urging stakeholders to ensure that this year's theme becomes a lasting commitment to protect the river and its dependent generations. Bwire stressed that protecting the Mara River means safeguarding the people, wildlife, and economies reliant on the ecosystem, asserting that conservation is not merely about protecting a river but about preserving life itself.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
