Assessing the Effect of Avitourism on Social and Economic Development in Tana River Delta, Kenya

Tana River Delta also known as lower Tana is a hotspot area for economic development. However, the investors have lured the local communities to have the best benefits on the expense of biodiversity and habitat degradation. The dominant tribes are the Wardei, Orma (nomadic pastoralists) and the Pokomo, (farmers) thereby; both compete for control of water and land resources in the delta, sometimes in violent conflict. Avitourism project focused on community based ecotourism to improve the livelihoods of the local communities and enhance biodiversity existence. The Tana River Delta is an Important Bird Area (IBA KE22); Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and a Global Biodiversity Hotspot (GBH) Ngari, et al. (2010). The aim of this project was to enhance Tana River Delta (TRD) potential as bird tourism destination through target marketing and training the local guides. Tana River Delta is of international importance for the conservation of migratory bird species, and is home to the Endangered Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis, Pearson et al. (1978), Vulnerable Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos and Near Threatened Malindi Pipit Anthus melindae, and 13 of Kenya's 30 East African Coast biome bird species Ngari, et al. (2010). The study majorly utilized survey as the research design. During the survey, I used 8x42 pair of binoculars for the observation and a Zimmermann et al. (1996) bird guide for bird identification. Besides, the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) a focused discussion with local groups was conducted to examine how their lives have been changed as the result of Avitourism. Land use and resources conflict have been implicated as a cause for the degradation of the bird’s habitats and hence lack of intense Avitourism activities in the area. While this effect has motivated research and conservation in the area, it remains poorly addressed in the region. Between November-December 2012 and January-February 2013 I assessed the effect of the Avitourism on promoting social and economic development in Tana River Delta, Kenya. I established study questionnaires and interviews with the local people in the Garsen, Witu, Moa and Kipini areas. Also I used opportunistic bird observations and bird habitats survey in the sites. Independent analysis of all study showed that Avitourism has contributed in the poverty reduction among the local communities and furthermore, towards conservation of biodiversity in the area. Avitourism business success was higher among the farmers than the nomadic pastoralists. Land use and resources conflict was the major cause of Avitourism failure and an obstacle especially during the study period. The likelihood of Avitourism failure depended upon insecurity in the area, lack of local people involvement in Avitourism activities and habitats disturbance. In general, variables important in discriminating between Avitourism peak and lower seasons were directly related to security, bird’s habitats, awareness and marketing. I also examined the communities’ interests in Avitourism and their willingness involvement in the activities. This depended on the gender and age of the participants.  Comparison of age and gender at successful and unsuccessful Avitourism supported the idea that Avitourism success is a strong selective force on age and gender choice. Communities’ involvement in Avitourism business success was higher among the interested group (farmers) than less interested group (nomadic pastoralists) for all age and gender, suggesting that interests and involvement were choices.

Key words: Avitourism, assessing, social and economic development, age and gender, nomadic pastoralists, farmers, poverty reduction, birds, habitat, conservation and security issues.