KWS Unveils Strategic Plan to Boost Wildlife Economy and Conservation Efforts
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has officially launched its Strategic Plan for 2024-2028, aimed at enhancing Kenya’s wildlife economy and conserving the nation’s biodiversity. This forward-looking blueprint seeks to create employment, improve livelihoods, and boost foreign exchange earnings while positioning Kenya as a global leader in sustainable tourism.
The Strategic Plan focuses on five key goals: increasing wildlife populations, building resilient ecosystems, enhancing community and stakeholder engagement, expanding the wildlife economy, and strengthening KWS’s operational capacity. It also incorporates adaptive management to address challenges such as habitat degradation, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade.
During the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano emphasized the importance of the wildlife economy in reducing inequalities and supporting rural economies. Miano noted that by promoting wildlife-based enterprises, improving tourism products, and managing marine reserves, the plan aims to directly benefit local communities and elevate Kenya’s tourism sector.
“The Plan’s focus on the wildlife economy has the potential to generate wealth and improve the quality of life for thousands of Kenyans,” Miano stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to balancing conservation with socio-economic goals.
KWS Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga highlighted the Plan’s role in implementing the National Human Wildlife Coexistence Strategy and the National Wildlife Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. These initiatives will ensure sustainability and resilience for future generations.
The Plan has received praise from KWS’s Board of Trustees and stakeholders for its innovative and inclusive approach, which aims to secure Kenya’s natural heritage while enhancing conservation benefits for all Kenyans.
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