{
  "id": 8267603,
  "title": "Wildlife stakeholders’ forum calls for partnership to protect Mara River Basin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/wildlife-stakeholders-forum-calls-for-partnership-to-protect-mara",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T15:21:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/wildlife-stakeholders-forum-calls-for-partnership-to-protect-mara-river-basin/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent wildlife stakeholders’ forum has urged partners to collaborate in protecting and sustainably managing the Mara River Basin. Conservation Secretary Dr. John Kipkorir Chumo stated that the government is working in tandem with stakeholders to safeguard the Mau Forest and surrounding catchment areas via afforestation and other conservation initiatives. He emphasized that collective efforts are crucial, as united efforts yield better results in preserving the environment. Furthermore, he highlighted the urgency to curb pollution in the river, stating that it endangers wildlife and the ecosystems they rely on.\n\nKevin Gichangi, Manager of Kenya Rift Lakes Region for WWF-Kenya, shared the organization's ongoing collaboration with various partners, including development allies, which has led to notable advancements. This has notably resulted in the creation and reinforcement of community-based institutions, such as Community Forest Associations and Water Resource User Associations, across both Kenya and Tanzania.\n\nGerald Kusaya, Regional Administrative Secretary of the Mara Region in Tanzania, reaffirmed his country's dedication to joint conservation efforts with Kenya and other stakeholders. He stressed that safeguarding the Mara River Basin should be viewed as an investment in the future of communities whose well-being depends on the ecosystem. Kusaya called for strengthening existing transboundary cooperation structures to facilitate better cooperation among communities, governments, and stakeholders.\n\nThe forum also addressed various challenges impacting the Mara River Basin. These include the degradation of source areas due to human activities and livestock populations, inappropriate agricultural practices, and deforestation. Participants called for industries that rely on fuelwood to take responsibility for tree planting and restoration. Urban expansion without proper planning and sewage management were also identified as emerging threats.\n\nStakeholders highlighted discrepancies in laws and policies between Kenya and Tanzania, as well as within Kenya, as hindrances to integrated basin management. They urged for harmonization of policies and strategies across different levels of government. Community representatives emphasized the importance of providing sustainable livelihood opportunities through conservation-related activities like beekeeping and nature-based enterprises, which could incentivize communities to protect natural resources.",
  "summary": "A Wildlife stakeholders’ forum has called on relevant partners to conserve to promote the protection and sustainable management of the Mara River Basin. Speaking at the forum held this week, Conservation Secretary, State Department for Wildlife, Dr. John Kipkorir Chumo said the Government is working closely with stakeholders to ensure that the Mau Forest and […] The post Wildlife stakeholders’…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}