Butterfly farming - a sucessful resource from Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
Category: Eco-friendly products, Forest products, Sustainable income generating activities | Date: Oct 29 2008 | By: davidngala
Ever heard of butterfly farming? Well at Kipepeo butterfly project its all about butterflies. Kipepeo is the Swahili word for butterfly. These beautiful creatures are all colours, all sizes all species. At the Kipepeo butterfly project all types of butterflies are breed.
one of the butterfly species at the forest
The Kipepeo project based in Gede aims at linking conservation of Arabuko-Sokoke forest and livelihoods development of surrounding rural communities. Arabuko-Sokoke forest has a unique biodiversity which presents a good habitat for butterfly farming. Farmers living adjacent to the forest are allowed in the forest to collect butterfly species of which they can breed in their butterfly farm houses and the pupae is packed and sold abroad in Japan, Europe and USA in exhibitions.
The Kipepeo project is an initiative that sort to support the conservation of the forest through the sustainable utilization of butterfly biodiversity to benefit the local communities. It also seeks to diversify coastal tourism through exhibit of live butterflies. This project has been a key step in conserving Arabuko-Sokoke forest by providing an alternative income source to local communities while at the same time, the locals seeing the value of the forest and conserving it.
The project benefits over 100,000 people in 50 villages around Arabuko-Sokoke. They have now organized themselves into 27 community groups. Kipepeo runs an attractive butterfly house at its centre in Gede Ruins. For more information on this project please visit www.kipepeo.org or contact kipepeo@africaonline.co.ke
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Explore the beauty beyound the beach!!
Category: Eco-friendly products, Forest products, Sustainable income generating activities | Date: Oct 27 2008 | By: davidngala
Thinking of a holiday at the coast? ……explore the beauty beyond the beach!
Dreaming of a holiday by the beach, take a minute to find out how the different ecosystems connect. Ecosystems are interrelated and do not exist on their own, just like a lion needs an antelope for food and to survive is the same way we need each other to enhance sustainable development.
The beach at Watamu - Mida creek.
The Arabuko-Sokoke ecotourism circuit aims at exploring the beauty beyond the beach…… this combines various entitles such as the forest and Mida creek which are ecologically connected and together form the UNESCO biosphere reserve. The circuit is engaged is connecting different conservation and community groups working and living in the area to benefit directly from the eco-tourism activities of the circuit
Tree platform inthe forest, run by a community group.
View point in the forest.
community groups - mangrove planting.
This eventually leads to the areas being conserved. The biggest threat to the forest and Mida creek is exploitation and unsustainable use by local communities in the tourism industry. By supporting the eco-tourism activities and groups that promote conservation and sustaible use of natural resources, you are helping local people earn a living that is directly linked to conserving the natural environment and sharing it with you.
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Encourage the use of Eco-friendly products!!!
Category: Eco-friendly products, Forest products, Sustainable income generating activities | Date: Sep 16 2008 | By: davidngala
The ongoing exhibition at the Gede museum is a way forward in promoting the use of eco-friendly products. The exhibition runs from 15th September till 15th October 2008. The exhibition has brought about different community groups to display their items. The most of their products are made from recycled materials such as recycled video tape is used to make door mats, others include charcoal dust to make charcoal briquettes, bottle tops to make baskets among others.
Entrance to Gede museum where the exhibition is ongoing.
Various community groups have united in order to make their products in large quantities. Women, disabled people and church groups are among the various community groups that have come together to display their items. Creativity is also a big factor in utilizing the waste products and materials to come up with new products that are friendly to the environment.
The following are some items on display and sell at the Gede museum, if you are in town you can stop by and have a look at them and perhaps purchase some.
Trays made from Bamboo.
Bags made from recycled sisal and beads.
Bead work from bones and beads
Candles from honey wax
Footwear from beads and recycled rubber.
Cards made from recycled paper.
Photo frmes made from recycled paper.
Door mats made from recycled video tape.
Tags: , community groups, Eco-friendly, Gede Ruins
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