alternative funding: Private entrepreneurship/partnership approach- a project proposal: yeed conservancy area.

The Yeed Conservancy Area will be formed to manage 55,000 acres of prime wildlife land for the purpose of re-introducing; protecting extinguished endangered species as (black Rhino and gravy Zebra, Impala, gazelle, antelope, giraffe, etc) to establish Wildlife as viable form of land as well as to encourage the neighboring countries maintain wildlife migration routes. The yeed conservancy has to emphasize community involvement by the neighboring landowners. The projects include: the development and operation of health clinic, the establishment of community trust aimed at improving the standards of living of those juxtaposing the conservancy and assisting with the support of two community based wildlife trust whose prime objectives are to use wildlife as a resource to generate money for people in neighboring countries.

A unique relationship is created between the Yeed conservancy and “ the Bakol Regional Tourist Service” as to income generating project, with the view to forming in an ideal eco-tourism system.

The Bakol Regional Tourist Service, which is located on the region main town, will be built with donor funding for the benefit of both visitors and Yeed Conservancy and other areas.

The yeed Conservancy area will be placed in suitable area in the region, appropriate for the chosen Wildlife. Natural materials will be used to construct the animal shelties in order to blend with the environmental thus making it attractive eco lodge.

Construction of the Yeed conservancy Area will start in January 2006 and open its doors to tourist to December 2006. It will need an investment US$ 280,000 the initial came form UNEP; and from the Italian Government.

The marketing and promotion of the Yeed Conservancy Area has to be by word of mouth, never the less The Yeed Conservancy Area has to attract a very enthusiastic clientele of expatriates living in neighboring countries like Kenya, Dijabouti who are out to seek quietude and adventure in the East African Countries. To diversify activities, a cultural Band has to be entertaining tourists.

Proceeds from the Yeed conservancy Area re-invested in community based development projects such as schools, cattle dips, water, bursary schemes and group ranch members share divends at the end to each year. The community formed a land management committee that limits the land to be set a side for cattle ranching. The losses incurred as a result of limited land for ranching are offset by revenues generating from the operations from the Yeed Conservancy Area and annual dividends.

The Somalia Wildlife Service sensitizes and mobilizes the community through Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRAs), workshops study tours and training of committee members on leadership and record keeping, as well as training scouts from the community. A general meeting is held each year to discuss the utilization of funds realized from the Yeed Conservancy Area.

Nearly all employees of the Yeed conservancy Area are members of the community. If the community based wildlife conservation projects can raise income and also demonstrates the utility of the local natural resources, then it will be replicated in other Areas. Such enterprises have to positively change the attitude of the group ranch members towards wildlife conservation. This is aimed at to become a typical success story of an-eco tourism enterprise that should create direct linkages between conservation of the community land and tourism related wildlife projects by providing a focus for the community to preserve the environment and the rational to do it.

The tripartite co-operation between Yeed conservancy area, the local community and the Somalia Wildlife Service partnership Program is aimed at to create a model worth emulating in development of sustainable tourism and distribution of benefits, especially in communities based in a remote areas of Somalia.II Yeed Conservancy area is a model product which is essentially a major departure for the Somali Eco-Tourism.

It is important to note form this mode the low cost capital out lay as compared to the unique compatibility of the projects and the distribution of the accrued benefits to the local communities.

The Eco-tourism Society of Somalia endeavors to help promote tourism in Somalia by projecting a positive image and encouraging high standards, green certification, carrying consumer surveys offering consultancy services, advice and information, public information, public relations, organizing conferences and seminars, publishing appropriate newsletters, brochures and books as well as conducting research

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