Written by Caroline Kibii
Promoting Waste Free Parks
In the wake of bans on single-use plastics by many countries worldwide, waste management remains a huge challenge.
Parks are biologically rich; they are sanctuaries and havens to many animals and plants. Any slight human error endangers their survival.
For instance, Nairobi National Park is a darling to many, both local and international visitors thirsting for wildlife in their natural habitats.
Originally published in Friends of Nairobi National Park’s October Newsletter by Caroline Kibii
A safari, as is famously known, the game drive inside the park to view animals and vegetation is gaining a lot of traction, especially due to the ongoing global health crisis. They go for lions, antelopes, giraffes, and birds, to name but a few.
The fascination and enthusiasm to sight the king of the jungle is immeasurable. Yet, this feeling can be dimmed by poor waste management.
Wastes are not only unappealing to humans but hinder the natural development of flora and fauna. Waste destroys animal habitats and causes discomfort. Eventually, the animals migrate to safer, secure, and cleaner areas.
To promote and ensure the parks’ sustainability, every individual must take charge of their waste.
While the policies and regulations exist prohibiting people from carrying single-use plastics inside the park, verbally asserting the importance of protecting the parks is crucial.
Verbal assertions reaffirm and emphasize the importance of individual responsibility. Consume, generate, and dispose of properly. Better still, reduce, reuse, and recycle!
This is where the Waste-Free Park Initiative currently being implemented at the Nairobi national Park comes in. An initiative designed and implemented by Enviro Wild and 3Es Experience in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The initiative’s main objective is to have a one-on-one interaction with the visitors by demonstrating their role in conserving the park through managing their wastes.
As part of reinforcing the idea, a litter bag with a strong message on the significance of cleaner parks for biological diversity is provided at no cost.
The initiative underscores addressing wastes from the source.
