Mara Day: A Catalyst for Cross-Border Biodiversity Conservation

[su_dropcap style=”flat” size=”5″]M[/su_dropcap]ara Day, commemorated annually on a rotational basis between Kenya and Tanzania, provides a forum for both countries to engage in critical discourse on biodiversity conservation within the Mara River Basin.
The Regional Head of Mara, Hon. Colonel Evans Alfred Mtambi, led the Tanzanian delegation at the 13th Mara Day celebrations, held in Sekanani Town, Narok, Kenya. In his address, he encouraged stakeholders to cooperate in the conservation of the Mara River basin’s ecology.
The 2024 Mara Day Celebrations commenced in the Mara region. The 13th edition of Mara Day celebrations commenced officially in Sekenani in Siana ward, Narok West Subcounty with an opening ceremony held at Sekenani Girls High School.

The event featured a number of key exhibitors, including the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the KCB, Entomasidai, Vultures of Kenya, MaaTrust, Enkilla Afrocouture, the Mara River Water Users Association, Kibo, and the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA).

The Mara Day, commemorated annually on a rotational basis between Kenya and Tanzania, provides a vital platform for both countries to engage in critical discourse on biodiversity conservation within the Mara River Basin. The objective of this day is to foster collaboration and collective action for the protection of the region’s rich and diverse ecosystem.

13th Mara Day Celebrations: A Call for Cooperation

The 13th Mara Day celebrations, held in Sekanani Town, Narok, Kenya, provided a forum for stakeholders from both Kenya and Tanzania to engage in discourse on urgent conservation issues. The Tanzanian delegation, headed by Regional Head Hon. Colonel Evans Alfred Mtambi, underscored the necessity for collaboration in the conservation of the Mara River basin’s ecological systems. He exhorted the assembled parties to collaborate in order to confront the challenges of habitat loss, wildlife trafficking and climate change.

Day 2024: A New Chapter in Conservation

The 2024 Mara Day festivities commenced in the Mara region with the official opening ceremony, which was held at Sekenani Girls High School in Sekenani, Siana ward, Narok West Subcounty. The celebrations held this year signified a reinvigorated dedication to the conservation of biodiversity in the region.

Key Exhibitors Showcase Conservation Efforts

The event featured a number of key exhibitors, each showcasing their contributions to conservation in the Mara River Basin. These exhibitors included:

* Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC): The objective is to promote sustainable water resource management in the Lake Victoria Basin.
* Kenya Forest Service (KFS): The objective is to conserve and manage forest ecosystems within the Mara River Basin.
* KCB: The provision of financial and technical assistance in support of conservation initiatives.
* Entomasidai: The objective is to enhance comprehension of the significance of insects within the ecosystem.
* Vultures of Kenya: The promotion of measures to safeguard the survival of vulture populations, which are of vital importance in the process of scavenging, is a key objective.
* MaaTrust: The objective is to facilitate the involvement of local communities in conservation initiatives.
* Enkilla Afrocouture: The promotion of sustainable fashion and cultural preservation.
* Mara River Water Users Association: The objective is to manage the water resources of the Mara River Basin in a manner that is beneficial to both humans and wildlife.
* Kibo: The objective is to provide assistance to community-based conservation initiatives in the Mara region.
* Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association (MMWCA): The organisation represents and provides support to wildlife conservancies within the Maasai Mara ecosystem.

In conclusion, Mara Day serves as a compelling illustration of the significance of cross-border collaboration for the preservation of biodiversity. The annual event facilitates dialogue between stakeholders from Kenya and Tanzania, encourages the development of innovative solutions, and inspires collective action to protect the rich and fragile ecosystem of the Mara River Basin.

Tanzania Media