GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2646

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 44(3) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage gazettes the Plan in the Schedule hereto: SCHEDULE Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan 2023-32 (hereinafter referred to as "the Plan") defines the guiding principles, management objectives and actions that stakeholders of Maasai Mara National Reserve have designed to address conservation, tourism management, community outreach and partnership, and operational issues in Maasai Mara National Reserve and its adjacent areas. The Plan addresses threats to Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) through the following major management intervention measures: (a) Implementing the MMNR Zonation and Visitor Use Scheme outlined in the Plan; and (b) Implementing management actions under the four management programmes. The Plan’s zoning scheme and management programmes are outlined in the following sections: 1. MMNR Zonation and Visitor Use Scheme The primary function of the MMNR Zonation and Visitor Use Scheme is to manage and regulate visitor use and impacts in the different MMNR zones. Specifically, the zonation scheme establishes four categories of zone: High Use Zone; Low Use Zone; Mara River Ecological Zone; and MMNR Buffer Zone. 2. Management Programmes The Plan has four management programmes that address the major management issues in the MMNR. These programmes are summarised in the following sections. 2.1 Ecological Management Programme The purpose of the Ecological Management Programme is to ensure that the Maasai Mara National Reserve’s ecological structure, functions and services are better understood and conserved through adaptive ecological management and improved research and monitoring. The programme aims to achieve this purpose through implementation of a set of objectives that focus on: strengthening Black rhino conservation and management; enhancing understanding 2nd March, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE of the ecology and status of MMNR species conservation targets; improving protection and management of MMNR habitat mosaic; strengthening collaboration with relevant institutions in maintaining MMNR water catchments; and carrying out targeted ecological monitoring and management-orientated ecological research. 2.2 Tourism Management Programme The purpose of the Tourism Management Programme is to ensure that the Maasai Mara National Reserve is providing a world-class tourism product that builds on and preserves the ecosystem’s outstanding ecological features and wildlife, and that provides optimal economic benefits for Narok County communities and the nation. The programme aims to achieve this purpose through implementation of a set of objectives that focus on: enhancing visitor attractions, amenities and infrastructure; strengthening regulation and management of visitor activities; optimising quantity, quality and management of visitor accommodation; and improving the tourism administration system in collaboration with tourism industry partners. 2.3 Community Outreach and Partnership Programme The purpose of the Tourism Management Programme is to ensure that communities living around the MMNR feel a positive sense of ownership for the Reserve and strongly support conservation efforts in the Greater Mara Ecosystem. The programme aims to achieve this purpose through the implementation of a set of objectives that focus on: establishing strong and constructive relationships between the Maasai Mara National Reserve and neighbouring communities; improving local community benefits from the Maasai Mara National Reserve; reducing incidence and severity of conflicts between people and wildlife around the Maasai Mara National Reserve; and promoting and supporting conservation-compatible land use and development in neighbouring areas promoted and supported. 2.4 Protected Area Operations Programme The purpose of the protected area operations programme is to ensure that MMNR management operations are fully supporting and enhancing the Reserve’s standing as the world’s premier wildlife destination. The programme aims to achieve this purpose through implementation of a set of objectives that focus on: integrating and strengthening MMNR management systems and collaboration; improving effectiveness and efficiency of MMNR security operations; improving MMNR human resource capacity; and developing MMNR and maintaining the road network to support optimal visitor use and security coverage. The Plan including the background information on the Plan and facts upon which the Plan is based is deposited at the office of the Governor, County Government of Narok whose address is provided below: The Governor, County Government of Narok, P.O. Box 898–20500, Narok. Tel: +254 (020) 268 8929/03 Email: info@narok.go.ke Dated the 1st March, 2023. PENINAH MALONZA, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.