Planning for National parks

Abstract

The setting up of National Parks in Kenya is functional and they playa definite role, in conserving natural faunal and floral resources for the present and future generations. At the same time, the existence of the parks contributes a substantial amount of foreign exchange earnings through tourism. Apparently due to socio-economic reasons, parks are threatened by growing settlements out side their borders. Nairobi National park presents a case where land uses are varied ranging ' from urban development in Nairobi area and Athi River Town to open ra~~eland in the Kitengela Game conservation area. However, if the park has to remain, there has to be achieved that has to be maintained so as to avoid encroachment into the natural area. The study was undertaken by using questionnaires, informal and formal interviews, as well as by observations and through published materials. The purpose was to find the level of popularity and the activities of the visitors to type park. Secondly, to find out the opinions of the local residents in the Kitengela area about the park's existence and their role in the park's planning and management. The level of facilities provided in the park and role of institutions was also analysed. ~ From the study it was observed that there are various problems which exist and hinder the planning of the park. The prominent ones being land use conflicts (v) in the peripheral areas, poor infrastructural and lack of certain visitor facilities. Besides in absence of an institutional body to ameliorate the problems related to land. The major findings revealed that only of those who owned cars visited the park. Nevertheless, majority of the respondents felt the park provided a prime opportunity in that it , "- .' facilitated them to visit it in a short period of 2-3 hours. The respondents were of the opinion that the park should not be interfered with any type of development. The local residents especially of the Kitengela Game Conservation Area felt very negative towards the wildlife since it was a threat to their property. Given the need to conserve the park for recreational and educational purposes, it therefore important that physical planners should get involved in formulating land use plans whereby they intergrate other land uses with such a land use and try to find ways and means in order to harmonize land use. However as is proposed in the study a physical plan will enable to solve land use problems in the park's periphery and try to provide visitor facilities and maintain the existing ones~ Besides a Land Use Committee's structure and function has been proposed which will enable proper co-ordination among various authorities concerned with the park's planning