In the Garba Tula district in Kenya (north-east of Nairobi and 60km from Meru National Park), IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and the Wildlife Resource Advocacy Programme run a project focused on the management of natural resources. They work with various community and government institutions to formalize local people's land rights and to make sure that natural resources in the area are used in a sustainable manner. This way the development of the region should remain compatible with traditional pastoralism - the raising of livestock - which is the main economic activity in the area. The project focuses both on conserving the region's biodiversity and on improving the lives of local people.
One of the project's initiatives is the 'Cultural village' where tourists can stay in traditional 'bandas', taste delicious African food, enjoy traditional dance and music and spot elephants, hippos, lions, rhinos and other wild beasts in the Meru National Park just round the corner.
Meru National Park
The village is run by the locals - mainly women - who look after the guests, prepare food for them and maintain the cottages.
Income gained from the 'Cultural village' allows local people to send their children to schools.
In the nearby town of Kinna, community elders - the Council - gather to discuss the project's development.
Kinna town
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