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Dakatcha Woodland Conservation Project

MERMA is working with Nature Kenya (the East Africa Natural History Society) and other partners in the conservation of Dakatcha Woodlands in Magarini Sub – County

Project Brief

Dakatcha woodland Important Bird Area (IBA) is found near the town of Malindi town in the Coastal strip of Kenya, has an area of 32,000 ha and is home to the rare and endangered bird species, the Clarkes Weaver and at least half of the Kenya’s East African Coast biome species. This makes the area a hotspot for biodiversity conservation and ecotourism especially for hiking and bird watching. Other important unique physical formations are Marafa Hell’s Kitchen and Kapangani Rock deep. 
  • County

    Kilifi

  • Key Partner

    Nature Kenya

The landscape consists of a series of dry forests, dense thickets with open woodlands. To the south, the site is bordered by the wide Galana-Sabaki (Athi) River.

Dakatcha Woodland is the only site outside Arabuko-Sokoke forest where Endangered Clarke’s Weaver bird is known to occur. It also holds substantial populations of Sokoke Pipit, and both species breed at Dakatcha. The forest of Dakatcha Woodland stores water, protects the soil, shelters unique animals and plants, and provides environmental services and direct benefits to the local people. MERMA supported the formation of Dakacha Woodland Conservation Group which is an umbrella body of 5 community-based organisations, that have come together to maintain the biodiversity of Dakatcha woodland.

These organisations include Baricho Youth Group, Mulunguni Umoja Youth Group, Mahenzo Youth Group, Marafa Hell’s Kitchen Tour Operators Association, and Mulangaza Youth Group. The community youth groups have been trained on tour guiding and hospitality and thus they earn income through from the ecotourism industry. Other income generating activities supported by MERMA are bee keeping, conservation agriculture and establishment of commercial woodlots. Community resource centre has also been established. Dakatcha Woodland Community Forest Association (CFA) has also been constituted to regulate charcoal production in the forest.