As described above, there are two organisations
that are currently responsible for the management of
the
MMNR: the Mara Conservancy (on behalf of the
County Council of Trans Mara); and the County
Council
of Narok. Although the Mara River creates a clear
boundary between the MMNR’s two different
management
units, the two areas are in reality highly
connected not only on an ecological basis but also regarding
a
number of other key management aspects, such as
visitor management and security. This high level of
connectivity
necessitates strong collaboration between the
managers of the two management agencies in order
to
achieve the holistic and integrated management of
the MMNR that is a key guiding principle of this
programme.
Prior to the start of this management planning
process, there was no formal mechanism in place to
enable
and promote effective communication and
collaboration between the two MMNR management
agencies.
As a parallel effort to the development of this
management plan, CCN and CCTM are currently
concluding
a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU,
see Annexe 1) designed to bring about the
holistic
and integrated management of the MMNR.
Complementary to the establishment and implementation
of
this MoU, Action 1.1 will establish an internal
MMNR management committee with responsibility for
the
coordination and integration of management
practices in the Reserve and for addressing and resolving
management
issues of mutual concern. The committee, which
will meet on a quarterly basis, will be made up
of
senior managers from both Reserve management
agencies, plus other individuals (e.g. members of the
respective
councils or MC Board of Trustees) invited from
time to time as appropriate. The location and chair
of
the meetings will alternate between the two
management agencies, which will in turn be responsible for
preparing
the meeting agenda and circulating the meeting
minutes.
