Nairobi National Park Under Threat: Conservationists and Stakeholders Slam Proposal for Dissolution

Nairobi National Park, the only national park in the world located within a capital city, is facing a significant threat as Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli calls for its dissolution to pave way for infrastructure development. Atwoli's proposal has sparked widespread concern among conservationists, tourism stakeholders, and Kenyans, who argue that the park is a global rarity and national icon, hosting over 100 mammal species and more than 500 bird species. Established in 1946, the park is a critical green lung, absorbing carbon dioxide, mitigating air pollution, and regulating local climate in a city grappling with urban sprawl.

Key Takeaways:

• Nairobi National Park is home to over 100 mammal species, including lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino, and more than 500 bird species, making it a global rarity and national icon.
• Atwoli's proposal to dissolve the park would have devastating consequences, including irreversible environmental devastation, fragmentation of ecosystems, and acceleration of biodiversity decline.
• The park is a stronghold for endangered species like the black rhinoceros (critically endangered, with fewer than 5,500 globally), lions, cheetahs, grey-crowned cranes, and the white-backed vulture (critically endangered, facing severe population declines due to poisoning and habitat loss).
• Removing the park's unique savanna and riverine habitats would push these species closer to extinction, undermining Kenya's role in global conservation.
• Friends of the park argue that translocating some of the species to Maasai Mara is logistically and ecologically unviable, posing immense challenges due to the complexity of capturing and transporting large mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
• Smaller species, critical to ecosystem balance, such as insectivorous birds and small mammals, are often overlooked in translocation plans, increasing the risk of population crashes and biodiversity decline in Maasai Mara.
• Nairobi National Park is not an obstacle to development; it is a cornerstone of national heritage and a beacon of sustainable coexistence, offering a rare space for environmental education, research, and public awareness.

Statistics:

• Nairobi National Park spans 117 square kilometers.
• The park is home to over 15,000 animals, including lions, leopards, and rhinos.
• The park is a foreign exchange earner, generating millions of shillings annually through tourism.
• Nairobi city has a population of over 15 million people.
• Kenya's tourism industry employs over 200,000 people.
• The global demand for green spaces in urban areas is increasing, with cities like Singapore and Amsterdam serving as examples of successful integration.

Sources:

• "Nairobi National Park" article, Kenya Tourism Federation, no date.
• "Save Nairobi National Park" statement, Friends of Nairobi National Park, no date.
• "Nairobi National Park: A Global Rarity" article, The Standard, June 2022.