The Leparua Community Conservancy is a significant conservation area located in Isiolo County, Kenya. It plays a crucial role as a wildlife corridor and a shared grazing ground for several pastoralist communities.
Here’s what we know about the Leparua Community Conservancy:
Location:
- Situated in the Burat region of Isiolo County, which is strategically located in Kenya.
- It acts as an indispensable wildlife-rich corridor linking the conservancies of Il Ngwesi, Nasuulu, and Lekurruki.
- The area was historically used for millennia as a shared common-grazing ground by the Turkana, Samburu, Somali, and Borana pastoralist communities.
- It lies west of Isiolo town.
Size:
- The Leparua Community Conservancy covers a vast area of 34 square kilometers (approximately 8,400 acres).
Conservation Goals:
- The conservancy aims to emulate successful models in nearby conservancies like Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
- Key objectives include land management, peace-building, and wildlife conservation.
- It strives to promote the placid co-existence of local people and wildlife for their mutual well-being.
Wildlife:
- Leparua is a wildlife-rich corridor, suggesting a diverse range of animal species move through the area.
- The presence of elephants is specifically mentioned due to the wildlife corridor in the area.
- Other wildlife likely includes antelopes, hyenas, giraffes, hares, warthogs, and buffaloes.
- The area also has potential for avitourism (bird watching) due to its surrounding environment.
Community Involvement:
- The conservancy is headed by a board of directors who are representatives of each community.
- The board is responsible for formulating codes of conduct that govern the entire village.
- Each representative shares draft rules and regulations concerning conservation with their community for scrutiny and amendment before implementation.
- They are also responsible for creating conservation awareness to promote tourism and protect the environment.
Livelihoods:
- The primary economic activities in the Leparua area include livestock keeping, small-scale farming, and beekeeping (apiculture).
- There is a focus on promoting tourism as another economic activity through the conservancy and its natural attractions.
Tourism:
- Currently, it’s reported that the Leparua Community Conservancy does not have accommodation within its boundaries.
- However, based on its prime location and rich natural resources, it holds great prospects for tourism development.
- Nearby attractions and activities include visiting the confluence of the Great Ngare Ndare River and Ngare Sirkon River, exploring the local culture, and wildlife viewing.
Infrastructure and Connectivity:
- Leparua village is located 20km east of Isiolo town, approximately a 35-minute drive by car or motorbike, mainly on murram roads.
- Communication is done through chief barazas, mobile phones, and VHF radios.
The Leparua Community Conservancy represents a significant step towards integrating conservation with community livelihoods in a crucial wildlife corridor in Isiolo County. While currently lacking accommodation, its potential for future eco-tourism development is considerable.
