Abstract:
This detailed study finds that conservancy payments can provide an important, reliable, all-year-round source of income and prevent households from selling their animals during stressful periods and for cash needs. Conservancies also preserve the grass for use during the dry season, providing opportunities for pastoralists to access good-quality forage. However, in the Mara ecosystem, conflicts between grazing and conservancies may heighten during drought times; conservancy land leases create trade-offs for livestock-based livelihoods. As well, where income is based on land ownership, women and other marginalised groups are left out.
