The National Environment Management Authority has acknowledged that the wetlands continue facing threats, which have snowballed into far-reaching consequences.
The acknowledgement by Nema was corroborated by several conservationists and other key stakeholders in a webinar hosted as a precursor to the upcoming World Wetlands Day celebrations, slated for February 2, at Lake Narasha(Timboroa).
“Concerted efforts are being put in place to conserve our Wetlands because we understand the critical role they play in linking us to food security, and access to safe and healthy water among other benefits. Conversely, these efforts are being stifled by the day,” Caroline Muriuki, Nema's Principal Ecosystem wetlands officer said.
Research scientist Jane Macharia said many young people are on the frontline on matters of forestry, but there aren’t many young people on matters of wetlands.
She asserted that there is an ever-increasing need for the youth to relentlessly rally behind the conservatory efforts if the conservation of our wetlands is to be actualized.
Macharia further encouraged awareness campaigns through the various media to be conducted to enlighten people on the importance of the conservation of the wetlands.
“Wetlands continue being encroached by local communities partly because of information gap. Inclusion and participation will thus go a long way in mitigating the destruction of our wetlands,” she said.
Among the key concerns that were highlighted was the continuous degradation of Lake Ol’ Bolossat which is a potent Wetland with a rich ecosystem.
According to Paul Kirika, a senior research scientist at the East African Herbarium, Lake Ol’ Bolossat provides habitat to various migratory water bird species such as the grey crowned crane and the Hadada Ibis which are endangered in other habitats.
“Lake Ol’Bolossat also serves as a habitat to a myriad of aquatic life, ecological indicator species such as Waterfowl (Grebes, Jacana and Flamingo). The wetland also boasts of a high diversity of birds of prey, endemics and endangered species, which are all ecological indicators,” he said.
There has been a steady decline in the ecosystem around Lake Ol’Bolossat.
Having said that, the conservationists and the research scientists who were part of the webinar reaffirmed their commitment to help restore the glory of the said Wetland.
Efforts have been beefed up over time to see the lake being designated as a Ramsar site.
If these efforts bear fruit, Lake Ol’Bolossat will become the seventh designated Ramsar site coming after the Tana River Delta Ramsar site.
“The government and all stakeholders are required to put in resources to implement the management plan for existing Ramsar sites,” Judith Nyanja, Principal Research Scientist at the head of the inland waters and wetlands research centre said.
"Our country also needs aperiodic review to assess their ecological status and the effectiveness of the out management measures."