Nashulai Conservancy at the Maasai Mara Game Reserve has been ranked among the top best in the world by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The coveted Equator Prize award was presented virtually from The United Nations headquarters in New York during the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly held on Wednesday.
The ecstatic villagers, who were following the big-screen event at Oldarpoi camp, later broke into celebrations as the prize comes with Sh1 million prize.
The conservancy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nelson Ole Ruya said the award means a lot to the community as the conservancy bested nine other indigenous communities selected for the top prize, out of 600 applicants in 120 countries.
Ole Ruya said that the conservancy has been in the front line of reducing wild-human conflicts as they have been engaged in public education campaigns.
“Wildlife cannot operate in isolation, we need people. The space the wildlife requires is with the community and we require to involve them so that they can appreciate the need to coexist peacefully with the wildlife,” said Ole Ruya.
The conservancy director, Margaret Reiya, said it has been in the front line in educating women on entrepreneurship programmes.
“We have assisted women to produce liquid soap, which apart from their beadwork, they sell at a profit. During this Covid-19 pandemic season, the soap has been in high demand,” said Reiya.
Erick Ole Reson, a Mara ward resident, lauded the leadership of Nashulai adding that they have put conservancies in Kenya at the global map.
“If it were not for the community’s tolerance and sacrifice in living with the animals, this prize could not be possible. The conservancy has been promoting livelihood skills to the community that helps them earn a living,” said Ole Reson.
