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OGIEK AT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON 8TH JUNE 2004
The World Environment day was observed in Mau forest and was part of the KTN news yesterday, which was broadcasted countrywide. Participants on the ground and the viewers of the TV news footage could observe even some Ogiek hunters harvesting honey in the forest to celebrate.
Hundreds of Ogiek, Maasai, and other Kenyans turned out to mark the big day at NOPUYO-PUY watershed in Kiptunga forest, at the apex of Mau, Nakuru District / Kenya. The watershed is one of the 5 most important Water Towers in Kenya that drains both North- and Southwards supporting millions of people living in more than 600 locations in Kenya and
Tanzania.
The main conservation areas, which are also getting their water from this Water Towers and the Mau water catchments are the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Baringo and Lake
Bogoria.
Various ministries were represented by high powered delegations, NGOs, and Local authorities from different parts directly benefiting from the water source were present. The OWC which plays an important role in the area was hailed for its efforts to conserve and protect the environment from
encroachment.
OWC STATEMENT DURING WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON 8TH JUNE 2004
The Ogiek Welfare Council, an indigenous non-partisan community based organization dedicated to protection of constitutional and land rights of the Ogiek and environmental conservation is pleased to join hands with the world, the government of Kenya and all support agencies in celebrating the 2004 world environment day at Nopuyopui, Narok which is the source of life in the east African region. We feel obliged and privileged to share with you our working and guiding
principles.
Our principle
In this times of environmental and cultural terrorism , the Ogiek feel that humanity must work together not just for survival but also for quality of life based on universal values , that protect the delicate inter-relatedness of life which ultimately protects us all. Biodiversity is the clinical, technical term for this intricate inter weaving of life that sustain us.
Our vision
The vision of the Ogiek Welfare Council is one which envisages a just and equitable society where all people enjoy basic human rights and live in dignity. Our mission is to fight for the constitutional and land rights of the Ogiek, promote their well being and preserve the environment. In doing this we are involved in a number of programmes which include raising of tree seedlings and bee keeping all geared towards environmental protection and
sustainability.
Lessons
The fragmentation of land holdings coupled with the individualization and grabbing of land has in the past brought environmental destruction, conflicts and the near total decimation of the previously heralded environment which was once good and rich in diversity. Examples of areas affected by such senseless destruction include the areas around Mt. Elgon where land dispossession is the order of the day, Southwest Mau and East Mau which are battle arena for the rich and powerful, where dispossession and land fragmentation have been
prevalent.
Recently the president of the republic of Kenya, H.E. Mwai Kibaki was misled to believe that the issuance of title deeds is to the benefit of the Ogiek, while the truth is that no /grabbing is complete/ without proof of ownership, which is the title deed. Today the Pajeros are reigning in these areas. These lies will not be tolerated if the fruits of justice 21are to be reaped by all in this era of accountability and
transparency.
Our call
Radical thinking and integrated approaches emanating from a departure from the past, since the domestic laws have failed our conservation efforts, we call for the legislation change and positive discrimination of the forest dwelling communities and other resource depended communities.
By
Towett J.K - National Coordinator
Zachary Keya - Program Officer
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