ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE MAU CATCHMENT AREA AND IT’S IMPACT ON LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

The purpose of  this research is to evaluate the impact of human activities in the Mau  catchment  area  and  Lake  Nakuru  National  Park.  The  increase  in  human population has led to increased pressure and diminishing of natural resources such as  forests,  grassland  and  water.  This  has  led  to  conflicts  over  these  resources. Developments  in  Nakuru  town  and  other  urban  centers    have  contributed  to pollution  of    Lake  Nakuru  National  Park  through  the  disposal  of  industrial  and domestic wastes into the lake. These impacts are manifested through erosion, high silt loads, agro‐chemicals, urbanization, degradation, deforestation, encroachment into sensitive habitats and impacts of climate change.Data  collection  was  carried  out  using  interviews  and  questionnaires  .The population  size was 4960 and the derived sample  size was 138. The random  and purposeful sampling was used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software was used in the analysis.The results indicated that natural resources were diminishing due to the practiced land‐uses  and  population  increase.  This  has  led  to  an  increased  demand  for  the scarce resources leading to overexploitation and to human ‐ human and human ‐wildlife conflict. This has a negative impact on Lake Nakuru since rivers were dryingup due to deforestation, sedimentation, sand harvesting, waste water, storm water drainage, solid wastes which have polluted the lake. Most of the rivers draining into the  lake  have  dried  up  during  the  dry  seasons  due  to  deforestation  of  the  Mau Catchment area.There  is  the  need  for  concerted  efforts  to  manage  the  Mau  catchment  area sustainably  through  conservation  initiatives,  sustainable  farming,  reforestation, agro‐ forestry, energy, and water and soil conservation methods. Farmers should be encouraged to increase tree cover through carbon trading.