[AFP]In the majestic plains of the Maasai Mara, the coronavirus pandemic spells economic disaster for locals who earn a living from tourists coming to see Kenya's abundant wildlife. According to the tourism ministry, the sector has lost Sh80.2 billion ($750 million) this year -- roughly half of the total revenue in 2019. It's terrible," said Jimmy Lemara, 40, the manager of an eco-lodge in the private Ol Kinyei conservancy. In a unique model set up to engage local communities in tourism, enabling them to see the value of wildlife and thus protect it, the Maasai now get revenue from renting their land to form private wildlife conservancies. This model has since 2005 allowed the doubling of the habitat for wildlife in this area.

Source: Standard Digital July 13, 2020 04:52 UTC