The impacts of land use changes on the Maasai community in Kajiado county, Kenya
Abstract
This paper assesses impacts of land use changes on livelihoods and subsequent
environmental degradation in Amboseli ecosystem of Southern Kenya. The paper employed
field surveys using questionnaires, interview and focus group discussion to collect data.
Findings revealed that slight majority (56%) of residents depend on agriculture or pastoralism
as their main source of livelihood, reflecting their dependence on the land and resources. It
was found that practices such as deforestation and use of fertilizers are increasing the
environmental degradation and further perpetuating challenges related to environmental
conservation that greatly affect their livelihoods. Therefore, these practices are not
sustainable and changes must be made to new sustainable and dependable livelihood
strategies. Strategies such as land use planning; planting of trees, agro-forestry, and
community education on conservation practices should be implemented to improve
livelihoods. Although policy and enforcement play important role in environmental
conservation, it is equally important that sustainable strategies are generated and
implemented on a local level to alleviate effects of land use changes and work towards
reduction of environmental degradation.
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