Homestead Weaving Studio



James Simiren Ole NampushiPhD. Student Parks, Recreation & Tourism ManagementClemson University263 Lehotsky HallClemson, SC 29634Phone: 864 653 0345Recycle Plastic Bags: Enhance Biological Conservation in Maasai Mara AbstractMaasai Mara is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World according to ABC News (2006). It’s the planet's greatest natural habitat worldwide. Recent studies indicate that human population growth and tourism development contribute significantly to the spread of plastic bags to the environment. The consumption of plastic bags by wildlife herbivores and livestock accelerates this catastrophic wildlife population decline. This project will establish a sustainable community program to help reduce the spread of plastic bags through recycling and thus, help minimize the loss of herbivores due to plastic consumption. Introduction to the ProjectJames Simiren Nampushi (Project Leader) is a graduate student currently on a PhD. Program in Parks Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University. He is a Maasai warrior from the Maasai tribe of Kenya, who grew up in a community that has lived in harmony with wildlife for centuries in the Maasai Mara region. Maasai Mara ecosystem forms the northern extension of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem that straddles the countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya has been named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a poll of experts conducted by ABC Television's Good Morning America in 2006. The incredible annual migration of over a million Wildebeest from the Serengeti plains to the Maasai Mara has been described as one of the most awe inspiring sights on earth. The sheer spectacle of this event draws visitors from across the globe to witness one of the planet’s largest and most fascinating natural wildlife habitats to Kenya each year. The Mara is regarded as the planet's greatest natural habitat worldwide. The remarkable annual migration made Maasai Mara ranked as one of the new Seven Wonders. This is truly a Wonder of the World, and an incredible display of nature at work. The Mara is one of the most productive savanna habitats in the world. According to recent studies, habitat loss due to human population growth, large scale farming, tourism development and mushrooming of trading centers are a fundamental cause of wildlife decline. Studies conducted by United States Environmental Protection Agency indicate that 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year. Therefore, this trend has become a significant source of plastic bags blown by the wind into the habitat, and thus, increased the catastrophic effects on wildlife herbivores such as elephants, water buffalos, wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, black rhinos and elands which die after ingesting plastic bags. Despite Kenya National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) claiming to have banned plastic bags, outlawed the manufacture and import of plastic bags for damaging the environment, there is little or no studies conducted to provide statistical data showing the effects of plastics bags on the declining population of herbivores in this area. However, indigenous communities such as the Maasai people have raised concerns on the effects of plastic bags on their livestock (personal observation). Therefore, it can be argue that plastic bags can have similar effects on wildlife herbivores.GoalsThis project will establish a sustainable community program to help reduce the spread of plastic bags through recycling and thus, help minimize the loss of herbivores due to plastic consumption. Project purposeTo protect herbivores population by reducing the spread of plastics bags in the Maasai Mara ecosystem.ObjectivesEstablish 2 groups of women and youth to work in the projectDevelop a mechanism for plastic bags acquisition and recycling Establish community environmental outreach program in the Mara regionReduce the spread of the plastic bags in the Mara ecosystem.Project Implementation PlanRecruit women and youth groups from Talek and Sekenani locations. Each location will have (5 members in their group x 2) = 10 members in total. Train the women and youth groups on collection, sorting, cleaning and drying of plastic bagsWeighing and purchase of the plastic bagsThe project will select a community team to be trained on weaving to produce good quality bags, rugs, mats and wall hangings from the recycled plastic bags10 Project team will visit tourist camps and hotels to promote, market and train community on the of impacts of plastic bags to wildlife during the month of November -December 2012 at Talek Project management collects, package and send plastic bags that cannot be weaved to plastic companies in Nairobi for further recycling on a monthly basis in partnership/collaboration with eco-friendly camps in the areaThe finished weaved products will be sold to tourism camps and lodges in the MaraRevenues from sales of weaved products will be used to purchase more plastic bagsProject outcomes Making Maasai Mara a plastic free ecosystem and thus, reduce herbivore losses resulting from plastic consumption. Provide economic empowerment for the local youth and women through the sale of products made from recycled plastic bags.Project sustainability The proceeds accrued from the sale of the products will be used to sustain the project as an economic source of revenue after the end of the funding period. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download