At a time when environmental conservation faces immense challenges, the Nakuprat-Gotu Community Conservancy (NGCC) is setting an inspiring example of how local communities can take the lead in protecting endangered wildlife. Through the Save Beisa Oryx & Community Resilience (SBOC) project, this conservancy is safeguarding not only wildlife but also the future of pastoralist communities who have long called this land home.
NGCC covers an impressive 79,000 hectares, and it is home to 10% of the global population of Beisa Oryx, a species listed as endangered by the IUCN. But the conservancy doesn’t just focus on the animals; it recognizes the essential connection between people and the environment. The SBOC project is built on a simple but powerful idea: that the future of wildlife is directly tied to the well-being of the communities who share the land.
In this part of Kenya, the Borana and Turkana communities have traditionally depended on livestock for their livelihoods. However, frequent droughts, intensified by climate change, have severely disrupted their way of life. SBOC is helping these communities adapt by providing new sources of income and supporting eco-friendly enterprises. From eco-tourism to tree-planting initiatives, community members are now leading the charge in creating sustainable livelihoods that also benefit conservation efforts.
One of the standout successes has been the establishment of 24 community-based Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These groups, made up of over 300 volunteers, are involved in everything from tree planting to wildlife monitoring, forming the backbone of the conservancy’s efforts to protect endangered species like the Beisa Oryx. This model of community involvement shows that conservation is not just about saving animals—it’s about empowering people.
In the fight against habitat loss, poaching, and drought, NGCC’s approach offers a blueprint for how conservation can be a collaborative, people-powered effort. By investing in the future of local communities, we can ensure the survival of both wildlife and the people who depend on them.