The implementation of the actions and
prescriptions set out in this plan, especially in a logistically
difficult and resource-constrained environment such as the MMNR, is
an ambitious undertaking, and in order to succeed it is essential
that management operations are strengthened and streamlined to
support the effective and efficient delivery of the plan’s
actions. In addition, strengthened collaboration between management
within the MMNR is also vital to ensure that plan implementation
proceeds in a coordinated and coherent manner, and that the Reserve
is managed as a single visitor destination and ecological
unit.
Over the years, the management of the Narok and
Trans Mara sections of the Reserve has gradually diverged, to the
extent that today there are significant differences on both sides
of the Reserve, which leads to confusion amongst the area’s
users and inefficiencies in the use of resources. Another key
aspect of the plan, therefore, is to provide a mechanism for
managing the MMNR as a single management and ecological
unit, by bringing the management of the two sides of the
Reserve much closer together, involving coordinated
management based on a shared vision and objectives, and
common management action priorities, and through the development of
an MoU between the two councils to support the implementation of
the plan.
Technical supervision and co-financing for the
development of the MMNR Management Plan 2009-19 has been provided
by the African Wildlife Foundation, while the Conservation
Development Centre (CDC) was responsible for
facilitating the planning process and drafting the eventual
management plan, working hand-in-hand with Reserve
managers and stakeholders and under the oversight of a Core
Planning Team made up of key stakeholders and managers. CDC had
previously developed the general management planfor neighbouring
Serengeti National Park as well as providing support to Kenya
Wildlife Service in developing the
PAPF.
The MMNR is currently faced by a wide variety of
management challenges and issues, originating from both within and
beyond the area’s boundaries. Many of these issues, such as
tourism development pressures and land use change in the greater
ecosystem, appear set to intensify over the 10-year implementation
period of this plan. Targeted and coordinated management responses,
as set out in each of the plan’s four management programmes,
are essential if MMNR management is to work towards addressing
these issues, and the Reserve is to retain its status as one of the
most outstanding wildlife destinations in Africa. However,
delivering these management responses in a logistically difficult
and resource-constrained environment such as the MMNR is an
ambitious undertaking, and if managers are to be successful in the
implementation of this management plan, it is essential that
protected area operations are strengthened and streamlined to
support the effective and efficient delivery of the plan’s
management actions. Strong collaboration between the various
institutions responsible for the implementation of these actions
will also be essential to ensure that plan implementation proceeds
in a coordinated and coherent manner, as will collaboration with
institutions and organisations in the wider ecosystem in addressing
issues impacting on the MMNR that originate from beyond the
area’s boundaries. The Protected Area Operations Management
Programme sets out a framework designed to address these issues and
to strengthen the effectiveness and complementarity of management
operations within the MMNR, as well as collaboration with key
stakeholders the wider Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem
beyond.
