Critically Evaluate The Utilization Of Coastal Resources For Sustainable Economic Development Of The Region (Term Paper Sample)

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & EXTERNAL STUDIES
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COURSE TITLE: REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
COURSE CODE: TGN 402
TASK: CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE UTILIZATION OF COASTAL RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION.
NAME: WILLIAM LUSIGE AKOTO
REG NO: E35/3162/2011
SUBMITTED TO: DR. NDOGONI
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 1st NOVEMBER 2017
SIGNATURE: ………………..
TABLE OF CONTENT
1 INTRODUCTION
2 COASTAL RESOURCES AND THEIR USE
* TOURISM
* SALT WORKS
* IRRIGATION AGRICULTURE
* LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
* PORTS AND SHIPPING.
* FISHING
* EXPORTING KENYA'S CORAL REEF FISH
* EXPORTING KENYA'S CORAL REEF FISH
* TURTLE EGG TRADE
* MINERALS AND ENERGY RESOURCES
* SALT WORKS
* LIMESTONE AND CEMENT
* OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION
* INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
3 CURRENT SITUATION AND THREATS FOR KENYAN COASTAL SYSTEMS
4 CONSERVATION
5 BENEFITS OF UTILIZATION OF COASTAL RESOURCE
6 CONLUCION
7 REFERENCE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Kenyan coastline is approximately 500 km long, with a well developed fringing reef system except where major rivers (Tana and Athi Sabaki) discharge into the Indian Ocean. The coastal zone environment and its resources in the western Indian Ocean region countries.
Kenya has a rich diversity of marine and coastal ecosystems. These ecosystems include mangrove wetlands, coastal forests, estuaries, sandy beaches and sand dunes, coral reefs, and sea grass beds that support a host of marine and coastal species. The ecosystems constitute an important life-support system for local communities. They supply vital resources that support livelihoods and economic development. Additionally, these ecosystems maintain the health of marine and coastal landscapes and seascapes at large.
The Kenyan coast is also endowed with a rich history of social and cultural interactions and traditions that span the entire shoreline. Notable amongst these traditions are the social, cultural, and economic opportunities that have been provided to the Kenyan coastal population through the use of the marine and coastal ecosystems for food, trade, recreation, and transport (Government of Kenya 2011). It is reported that trade in mangrove poles surpassed tourism and agriculture in foreign earnings in colonial times. To this day, opportunities for employment, tourism, and recreation provided by the marine and coastal environment and its resources, continue to make considerable contribution to the Kenyan economy. It estimated that more than 60% of tourists visiting Kenya must pass through the coast
2.0 COASTAL RESOURCES AND THEIR USE
2.1 TOURISM
The Kenya coast is rich in historical and archaeological sites, a testament to its long and full history depicting centuries of Swahili culture. Various remnants of mosques and other buildings reflect different ensembles of Islamic architecture using lime, coral stone and timber. In general the historical and cultural sites are placed in some distance from the coastline and would not be affected by an oil spill. The Atlas includes some of the most important historical and cultural sites located close to the coastline.
The first hotels directed at tourism were built in Malindi during the early part of the 20th century. In the last thirty years, rapid expansion in the recreation and tourism industry has occurred. The main attractions for this new industry include the warm coastal climate slightly mellowed by a cool sea breeze, the beautiful coastal scenery and foremost, the beautiful and clean sandy beaches. All the facilities that support the new expansion in the tourism industry are therefore located next or adjacent to beach environments. In some areas, such as the coastal strip around Mombasa, the rapid development of tourism has put pressure on the sustainable use of coastal resources such as the coral reef. Demand for seafood, shells and coral souvenirs has risen sharply as local supplies have become depleted. The pressure on the coastal ecosystem extends further and further from the resorts, spreading the impact.
Tourism has been growing steadily in Kenya since independence from British rule in 1963, and over time has become one of the country’s leading sectors, employing tens of thousands of people. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism increased rapidly from 1989, to KShs 28.1 billion in 1994. However, from 1995 the sector declined, recording earnings of KShs 17.5 billion in 1998. The major slump that occurred in 1998 was attributed to several factors, including civil clashes in Likoni, Mombasa in 1997, which elicited adverse coverage by the international media; damage to infrastructure caused by the El Niño rains of 1997/1998; terrorist acts (bombings of the American Embassy in 1998 and Kikambala in 2001), and competition from countries with a similar product, especially countries in southern Africa, the Caribbean and South East Asia (Government of Kenya, 1999).
Tourism is a leading foreign exchange earner in Kenya. In 1998, the sector contributed 9.2% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), supported 560,000 people in both the formal and informal sectors and accounted for 18% of all of Kenya’s export and foreign currency earnings (UNEP/GPA and WIOMSA, 2004). Income from tourism-related economic and business activities is an important and reliable source of revenue to the central government and local authorities.
As in many other Kenya regions, tourism is one of the key drivers of coastal areas socioeconomic development. In spite of the growing importance of tourism as a key industry, little information is available on the holistic economic impacts and the pathways through which these impacts are affected in the Coastal region economy.
2.1.1 Tourism-related activities
The tourism industry at the coast has spurred other economic activities through forward and backward linkages. Safari tour companies, curio vendors, boat operators, entertainment spots, Tourism-related activities offer employment opportunities for coastal dwellers and generate revenue for the local authority and central government. The tourism sector is an important buyer of produce and products from the agricultural and livestock sectors. It also supports income-generating community initiatives such as the René Haller Park in Mombasa, and the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary in Kwale.
2.1.2 Socio-economic impacts of tourism
The development of coastal tourism has resulted in clusters of beach hotels within one kilometer of the shoreline which are served with access roads, electricity, water and other basic infrastructure. However, local people’s settlements have generally remained without these services. In addition, the indigenous coastal people (especially the Waswahili) ownership or employment within the tourism industry (Sindiga, industry at their doorstep has often resulted in disaffection among local people. Tourism has also had profound socio-economic impacts in the predominantly Muslim coastal towns, especially Mombasa and Malindi. The increase in social problems such as school drop-outs, drug use and peddling, petty crime, family disputes and prostitution is often linked to tourism (Sindiga, 2000).
2.2 IRRIGATION AGRICULTURE
Irrigation agriculture is practiced in the Tana, Umba and Athi Sabaki floodplains. Rice is the main crop in Tana and Umba River floodplains. Irrigation in the Umba flood Plaines is controlled by the local community while in the Tana floodplains is managed by Tana and Athi River Development authority (TARDA).
2.3 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
Livestock rearing is mainly concentrated in the marginal lands of the coastal region, which makes up 69% of the total area. Overall, Tana River district has the highest livestock population in the area.
The main challenges faced by livestock farmers are frequent droughts, poor management, wildlife invasions, pests and diseases, inadequate infrastructure, poor marketing of ranch products, and insecurity.
The pastoral communities in Tana River district graze large herds of cattle in the lower ridges of the Tana River basin. During droughts, the pastoralists graze right inside the Tana Delta’s wetlands. Furthermore, cattle from around the country, some from as far as the North-Eastern Province, are brought to the delta during the dry season. This seasonal increase in the number of cattle grazed in the Tana Delta wetlands points to the need for an assessment of the carrying capacity of the wetland.
2.4 PORTS AND SHIPPING.
Maritime transport of goods and passengers accounts for 15% of the economy of the Kenya coast. Mombasa Port at Kilindini is not only the largest sea port in Kenya, but also one of the largest and most important ports along the entire East African coast. It is an integral component of the entire country’s economy (Hoyle, 2000). The Port serves Kenya and landlocked neighboring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Southern Sudan. It is connected to the world’s major ports, with over 200 sailings per week to Europe, North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and the rest of Africa.
2.5 FISHING
The fishery sector contributes about 4.7 % of the national Gross Domestic Demand (GDP) and it is an important foreign exchange earner. The marine fisheries sector in Kenya land about 10,000 tons of fish which accounts for about 10 % of the total fish landed in Kenya. Marine fisheries in Kenya are based on a small number of species, the most important of which are demersal and caught by artesian fishermen operating between the shoreline and the reef. Conflicts exist between small marine fishers and financially powerful companies, for example who purchase and occupy large tracts of coastal land...