Creek and mangrove conservation groups in Kilifi have have called for incentives to set up ecotourism projects for more income.
They said lack of funds to set up big projects have left them impoverished. Most members currently conserve mangrooves by setting up nurseries and planting seedlings.
Arafa Baya, a conservationist at the Mida Creek, said the incoming blue economy conference should come up with funding proposals for groups conserving marine ecosystem.
Kenya will host the conference next month. Baya said there is need to set up projects that can improve the lives of local communities.
“Conservation is a community input. It can't succeed if residents are poor," Baya said.
She spoke during a mangrove planting exercise in Kilifi. The exercise was sponsored by Seacology Foundation, an NGO that funds conservation projects in East Africa.
