Why training is key to taming biodiversity loss

I was privileged to be at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha for a graduation ceremony. I sat at a vantage point and shortly, a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) ranger joined to enjoy the shade and cool breeze plus the nice view.

Our conversation began when we both laughed as the DJ attempted to play a song whose corrupted tune always accompanies videos of the warthog (V16 engine) as it shows its prowess in the jungle, where we have always believed there are other faster animals. “Where has the warthog been all this while,” we laughed and began a discourse from there. He seemed to know, by scientific and other names, almost every bird or insect that passed nearby.

I tried to gauge if the ranger loved his job, and the subjects; wildlife. In the face of climate change, this warder could explain how the biodiversity crisis threatened his livelihood. “…not just because of their role in the ecosystem, but also because a lot of tourists who visit Kenya to watch them will not come,” he said.

I asked how useful such training by WRTI were to conservation, and why not just have KWS teams do everything around wildlife and tourism. He was adamant that this was not a waste of resources. It was as if we preempted the Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano’s speech, as she soon began to highlight strategies that could significantly reduce biodiversity loss and enhance climate resilience.

National Wildlife Training Agenda kept popping out of speakers’ addresses, showing how important training was. My conclusion was that having a serious road-map was a great way for the ministry to fight biodiversity loss. The importance of having an agenda that addresses the skill gaps that may compromise conservation by encouraging biodiversity loss cannot be gainsaid.

This industry needs sustainable income. In 2023, tourism contributed at least Sh1 trillion to our GDP, a 32 per cent increase from 2022. The same industry is estimated to have employed more than 1.55 million people.

Slightly over 100 days since joining this ministry, Ms Miano, must make things work better. Backed by a strong team of experts, she is well placed to transform the ministry and promote tourism and wildlife sectors. With a clear plan to deal with habitat loss, poaching, and climate-induced wildlife migration, the barriers are nearly down. The CS announced introduction of a Tourism Training Revolving Fund, under Higher Education Loans Board, and this will encourage enrollment at WRTI. More enrollment means having expanded infrastructure and additional human resources.

This ministry needs innovative resource mobilisation, proactive human resource planning and maximum use of the opportunity in the digital innovation e-citizen integrated online wildlife research-permitting portal for better research efforts critical for informed policy-making.

With the ambitious Strategic Plan (2023–2027), even if reviewed, the CS can push for more partnerships and boost collective efforts to tackle biodiversity loss. Conservation efforts demand collaboration of all stakeholders.

Miano’s emphasis on training programmes in fisheries and aquatic sciences highlights the critical link between conservation and livelihoods in agriculture and MSMEs. Equipping graduates with skills to sustainably manage aquatic ecosystems is therefore a sure means to biodiversity conservation and economic empowerment. This is what the ranger kept reemphasising throughout our conversation.

I cannot wait for a time when everyone will be aware of their surrounding and effects of their actions on their well-being and that of the environment. For the graduates, the skills acquired must translate into tangible impact, including community engagement, to shape Kenya’s response to biodiversity loss and climate change.

-The writer advocates for climate justice. Lynnno16@gmail.com